Business & Human Rights: Energy industry

{···español} Retos y oportunidades ambientales en el dinámico mercado de electricidad de América del Norte (Comisión para la Cooperación Ambiental de América del Norte, 17 junio 2002)

{···français} Les possibilités et les défis environnementaux liés au marché nord-américain de l’électricité en évolution (Commission de coopération environnementale de l’Amérique du Nord, 17 juin 2002)

Government comments on Environmental Challenges and Opportunities of the Evolving North American Electricity Market (North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, 17 June 2002)

{···español} Comentarios recibidos de los gobiernos sobre Retos y oportunidades ambientales en el dinámico mercado de electricidad de América del Norte (Comisión para la Cooperación Ambiental de América del Norte, 17 junio 2002)

{···français} Commentaires des gouvernements sur le rapport intitulé «Les possibilités et les défis environnementaux liés au marché nord-américain de l’électricité» (Commission de coopération environnementale de l’Amérique du Nord, 17 juin 2002)

US to relax air pollution rules for utilities - The Bush administration yesterday said it will relax costly air pollution rules when US utilities are repaired or expanded, triggering a storm of protest from environmental groups and some Democrats. (Chris Baltimore, Reuters, 14 June 2002)

NY to sue Bush Administration over utility rules - New York State's attorney general said he would the sue the Bush Administration over the US Environmental Protection Agency's decision yesterday to ease rules that now limit air pollution by coal-burning utilities....New York State, along with other Northeast states, in the past has sued Midwest and Canadian utilities, charging that smog and acid rain they produce has turned Adirondack lakes acidic, killed forests, and caused respiratory diseases. (Reuters, 14 June 2002)

Details of US utility pollution rule changes - The Bush administration yesterday eased anti-pollution rules for US utilities, oil refineries and industrial plants undergoing repairs or expansion. (Reuters, 14 June 2002)

Revealed: how the smoke stacks of America have brought the world's worst drought to Africa -...new research indicates that pollution from factories and power stations, especially in North America and Europe, has exacerbated drought in countries south of the Sahara (Charles Arthur, Independent [UK], 13 June 2002)

US lawmakers want Mexico power plants to cut pollution - U.S. legislation would block Mexican power plants located near the California border from using natural gas from the United States as fuel unless the facilities complied with the state's clean air laws. (Tom Doggett, Reuters, 7 June 2002)

Bush - Global climate report is bureaucratic hot air [USA] - President George W. Bush yesterday called a recent report that blames humans for global warming nothing more than a product of government "bureaucracy" and said he would not accept an international accord to reduce heating-trapping emissions. The report by the Environmental Protection Agency, whose top officials are appointed by the president, appeared to back the view of many scientists who believe that global warming is primarily caused by emissions from automobiles, power plants, and oil refineries. (Tom Doggett, Reuters, 5 June 2002)

Activists see connection in coal between Salem [Massachusetts, USA] and Colombian village -...Some of the coal imported for PG&E Corp.'s Salem Harbor Station power plant comes from a giant mine in Colombia, which is accused of growing by bullying, cheating and sickening villagers into leaving homes that sit on massive, untapped reserves of coal...While the Colombian activists decried abuses of human rights at the hands of their government and the owners of the Cerrejon Zona Norta mine, they also carefully refrained from calling on PG&E to stop buying its coal. (Dave Gershman, Salem Evening News, 3 June 2002)

Green groups push US to act on ozone problem - Ten U.S. health and environmental groups on Thursday accused the Environmental Protection Agency of "foot dragging" and threatened to sue the agency to begin enforcing a 1997 law designed to curb ozone...The stricter ozone rules are opposed by large industries including truckers and power generators. (Christopher Doering, Reuters, 3 June 2002)

A Guide for Potential Partnerships on Energy for Sustainable Development -...The creation of public-private partnerships on energy for sustainable development requires the active involvement of the private sector as strategic partners in building strong alliances to implement specific initiatives, and as sources of expertise, financing and experience. [page 3] (United Nations, Background Paper No. 3 for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Fourth Preparatory Session, 31 May 2002) [to download this pdf file directly, click here: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/html/documents/prep4_background_papers/energy_3.pdf]

Enron, Others Ordered to Preserve Documents Related to Secret Meetings with Cheney Energy Task Force [USA]: Sierra Club serves subpoenas to industry groups in lawsuit against Cheney, others - Subpoenas began arriving today at polluting industries and industry groups, like Enron and the National Mining Association, as part of efforts by the Sierra Club to discover how they influenced Vice President Cheney's Energy Task Force. (Sierra Club, 30 May 2002)

Court upholds arbitration contract [USA] - The Texas Supreme Court today upheld a company's [Brown & Root Energy Services, a subsidiary of Halliburton Co.] right to impose a non-negotiated binding arbitration contract on a longtime employee [alleging race & age discrimination] who claimed it was unfair. Consumer and labor groups criticized the ruling as eroding Texas workers' rights to sue employers for wrongdoing. (Associated Press, 30 May 2002)

Sustainable development is serious stuff for industries - ‘Sector projects’, a new WBCSD brochure, outlines the groundbreaking work carried out by six industry sectors toward sustainable development. [the 6 sectors: Forestry; Sustainable Mobility; Cement Sustainability Initiative; Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development; Electricity Utilities; Financial Sector] (World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 28 May 2002)

WBCSD Sector Projects brochure (World Business Council for Sustainable Development, May 2002) [scroll down to "Further information", where this pdf file can be downloaded]

The WBCSD’s sector projects. Speech by Mr Björn Stigson, President, WBCSD at the WBCSD Sector Report Launch side event at Prepcom IV in Bali, May 28, 2002. (World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 28 May 2002) [scroll down to "Further information", where this pdf file can be downloaded]

The WBCSD’s sector projects. Speech by Nabiel Makarim, MPA MSM, Indonesian State Minister of the Environment and co-chair of PrepCom IV, at the WBCSD Sector Report Launch side event at Prepcom IV in Bali, May 28, 2002. (Nabiel Makarim, Indonesian State Minister of the Environment, 28 May 2002) [scroll down to "Further information", where this pdf file can be downloaded]

NamPower workers take HIV test [Namibia] -...Among ideas being floated in the company's corridors is the provision of anti-retroviral drugs to HIV-positive employees. (Christof Maletsky, The Namibian, 28 May 2002)

Sempra: Exporting Pollution - U.S.-Mexico Border Region to Pay the Price for California's Power - If San Diego-based Sempra Energy had decided to build its new natural gas-fired power plant in southern California, state and local authorities would have required the company to comply with stringent air quality regulations. Company officials would also have had to complete detailed environmental impact statements. So Sempra decided to build the plant just over the border in Mexico instead. (J.P. Ross, Greenpeace, Special to CorpWatch, 27 May 2002)

Panama and Netherlands partnership to cut greenhouse gases -...Under the agreement, Panama is to carry out 13 projects involving the private sector to promote energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources (U.N. Development Programme, 16 May 2002)

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: UNEP Blasts Industry "Business As Usual" (UN Wire, 16 May 2002)

Sector Reports - UNEP DTIE is facilitating the preparation of a series of sector reports [for World Summit on Sustainable Development], whereby international, industry organisations and associations take stock of progress towards sustainable development and outline future challenges and actions to be taken (United Nations Environment Programme)

Sector report - Electricity

Nippon Mitsubishi says to enter windpower business - Nippon Mitsubishi Oil Corp , Japan's biggest oil company, said yesterday it planned to get into the wind power industry, becoming the first Japanese oil company to become involved in the business. (Reuters, 15 May 2002)

Thailand "postpones" coal-fired plants - Thailand decided yesterday to "indefinitely postpone" construction of two controversial Japanese-funded coal-fired power plants, government sources said, a move that will thrill environmentalists but worry investors. (Reuters, 10 May 2002)

Enron's Pipe Scheme: Energy giant bulldozed over environmental, human rights concerns to build Bolivian pipeline -- with U.S. government backing (Jimmy Langman, on CorpWatch website, 9 May 2002)

Fines for NSW power retailers greenhouse failures [Australia] - Electricity retailers will be fined if they fail to meet greenhouse emission benchmarks over the next five years, the New South Wales state government announced yesterday. (Michelle Nichols, Reuters, 9 May 2002)

Utility Buys Town It Choked, Lock, Stock and Blue Plume [USA] -...Two years after the Environmental Protection Agency accused the plant's owner, American Electric Power, of violating the Clean Air Act in this southeast Ohio hamlet, the company, which is contesting that accusation, is solving at least some of its problems by buying the town, for $20 million. Over the next few months, all 221 residents of Cheshire will pack up and leave. (Katharine Q. Seelye, New York Times, 8 May 2002)

Energy Emerges as a Key Issue for Johannesburg - Beyond the debates over energy use and efficiency that have featured during the preparatory process for the World Summit on Sustainable Development is the fact that more than a third of the world's population does not have clean and affordable energy services [includes comments by Electricité de France, Tata Environmental Research Institute, Tokyo Electric, American Electric Power] (U.N. Johannesburg Summit 2002, 8 May 2002)

Enron Pipeline Leaves Scar on South America: Lobbying, U.S. Loans Put Project on Damaging Path - Of Enron Corp.'s many political maneuvers in Washington before its fall into bankruptcy, winning the promise of federal financing for a 390-mile pipeline from Bolivia to Brazil through the Chiquitano Dry Tropical Forest may have the most enduring consequences. (James V. Grimaldi, Washington Post, 6 May 2002)

Huaneng to invest in China's Three Gorges Dam: China's largest independent power producer, Huaneng Power International Inc, says it will invest 253.57 million yuan (US$30.62 million) in China's controversial Three Gorges Dam project...The project has been criticised at home and abroad for its environmental impact and displacement of well over a million people. (Carrie Lee, Reuters, 29 Apr. 2002)

New climate body chief denies US lobbied for him: The new chief of the U.N.'s climate advisory body said yesterday the United States had not lobbied for his election but environmentalists said Washington had engineered his victory to oust a less acceptable candidate...Green campaigners were reluctant to criticise Pachauri, but pointed out that in addition to his position as director of the Tata Energy Research Institute, he was also a non-official director of the state-run Indian Oil Corporation. (Sugita Katyal, Reuters, 23 Apr. 2002)

Climate scientist ousted -...Green groups believe Mr Bush is unduly influenced by the energy lobby in America, and point to a memo forwarded to the White House by ExxonMobil last year. (BBC News, 19 Apr. 2002)

Utility Buys Out Contaminated Ohio Town [USA]: American Electric Power has agreed to buy an entire town in Ohio that has been contaminated by sulfuric acid from one of the utility's coal burning plants (Environment News Service, 19 Apr. 2002)

California jury finds companies liable for MTBE pollution: A San Francisco jury has found three energy companies [Shell Oil Co., Lyondell Chemical Co., Tosco Corp.] liable for polluting Lake Tahoe's drinking water with MTBE...The San Francisco Superior Court jury also found that Shell Oil Co. and Lyondell Chemical Co. hid information about the potential dangers (Reuters, 19 Apr. 2002)

US utility pollution kills 5,900 a year - study [USA]: Air pollution from eight utilities targeted in federal lawsuits during the Clinton administration causes an estimated 5,900 deaths a year...American Electric Power Co. was identified in the report as the company responsible for the most deaths at 1,400 annually. It was followed by Southern Co. at 1,200 and the Tennessee Valley Authority at 780 [other companies mentioned: FirstEnergy Corp., Duke Energy Corp., Vectren Corp.'s Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Co, Dynegy Inc.'s Illinois Power, Cinergy Corp.] (Chris Baltimore, Reuters, 19 Apr. 2002)

EPA going it alone on utility emission rules - Democrats [USA]: Democrats assailed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday for charging ahead with a plan to relax air pollution standards for aging U.S. power plants without seeking advice from health and environment experts. (Chris Baltimore, Reuters, 17 Apr. 2002)

The Debate: Behind the corporate greenwash - Graham Ward claims the UK's energy companies take environmental issues very seriously, but Tony Juniper argues most do not take a global view and fail to recognise the scale of the challenge. (Tony Juniper, Director-designate at Friends of the Earth, and Graham Ward, Chairman of the British Energy Association, in Accountancy Age, 11 Apr. 2002)

CLIMATE CHANGE: U.S. To Endorse Indian Replacement Of Watson For IPCC -...The decision comes after a meeting between State Department officials and energy and automotive lobbyists yesterday, with reports saying the two industries and the U.S. administration itself were displeased with Watson because he has pressed for tough climate control measures. (UN Wire, 3 Apr. 2002)

U.S. to Back Scientist From India to Replace Global Warming Expert (Andrew C. Revkin, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2002)

World summit firm gets more donors, needs more cash: Organisers of a world development summit to be held in Johannesburg later this year said yesterday it had secured more money from local firms but still lacked a third of funds needed to meet its budget...State-owned firms Eskom, the South African Post Office and South African Airways said yesterday they had each contributed five million rand, along with mining giant Anglo American and construction company Murray & Roberts. The country's biggest bank Standard Bank and number two cellphone operator MTN have already contributed. (Reuters, 3 Apr. 2002)

CLIMATE CHANGE: U.S. Reportedly Seeking To Sink Watson As IPCC Head - The U.S. State Department is planning to hold up the nomination of climatologist Robert Watson for re-election as head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in a decision that has sparked debate among environmental groups and the energy industry, the New York Times reports today...In a letter cited by the newspaper, ExxonMobil senior environmental adviser Arthur Randol reportedly told the U.S. State Department last year that Watson leaked drafts of IPCC climate reports to advance a "personal agenda." According to the Times, Randol asked, "Can Watson be replaced now at the request of the U.S.?" (UN Wire, 2 Apr. 2002)

Dispute Arises Over a Push to Change Climate Panel: After a year of urging from energy industry lobbyists, the Bush administration is seeking the ouster of an American scientist who for nearly six years has directed an international panel of hundreds of experts assessing global warming, several government officials have said. (Andrew C. Revkin, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2002)

Energy Task Force [Bush administration's energy policy task force] Courted Industry, Excluded Green Groups [USA] (Cat Lazaroff, Environment News Service, 26 Mar. 2002)

Handful of US utilities pollute most - study: Less than 20 U.S. utilities produced half of the industry's noxious air emissions in 2000, showing that tough laws are needed to force companies to clean up their plants, a green group said last week...the report found that American Electric Power Co. Inc. , Southern Co. and the Tennessee Valley Authority emitted from 17 percent to 24 percent of harmful emissions in 2000. (Chris Baltimore, Reuters, 25 Mar. 2002)

Report Benchmarks Pollution from Top 100 Electric Companies, Shows Disparities Among Competitors [USA]: Groups Say Congress, Wall Street Should Look To the Best Performers - In a finding that highlights the financial and political stakes in the current debate over reducing power plant emissions, a report released today reveals wide disparities in air pollution emissions from the 100 largest electric generating companies. (CERES, 21 Mar. 2002)

full report: Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Generation Owners in the U.S. - 2000 (CERES, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, Mar. 2002)

Environmentalists Sue over Transmission Lines from Mexico to US: Plan to evade US laws would pollute poor region of Mexico -...Earthjustice and Wild Earth Advocates, representing Border Power Plant Working Group, filed a lawsuit against the federal government today challenging permits granted to two companies planning to build electrical transmission lines from Baja, Mexico into California (Earthjustice, 19 Mar. 2002)

EPA to ease coal plant rules, pollution suits - Post [USA]: The Bush administration has decided to shift from a Clinton-era clear air enforcement initiative that led to dozens of lawsuits against aging coal-fired power plants, The Washington Post reported yesterday. According to U.S. Environment Protection Agency officials, the administration plans to unveil new rules that would offer incentives for reductions in toxic emissions without threatening legal action against plant operators, the newspaper said. (Reuters, 19 Mar. 2002)

Ten Brazilian Dam Protesters Hospitalized: Ten anti-dam protestors were hospitalized on Tuesday after clashes with the police...The demonstrators are part of Brazil's Movement of Dam-Affected People (MAB) which is engaged in a national campaign of protests against Brazil's hydropower energy policy...The group is demanding that the government halt subsidies to energy intensive industries, such as aluminum production, and instead provide electricity to rural communities. Aluminum companies, including multinationals Alcoa and Billiton, plan to build a series of huge dams in the Brazilian Amazon. (Environment News Service, 13 Mar. 2002)

Non-Permitted Polluters Given Secret Free Ride [USA]: New England is the worst and the Rocky Mountain region is the best, but across the country nearly one third of all factories, power plants and other major sources of air pollution do not have permits required under the Clean Air Act. (Environment News Service, 11 Mar. 2002)

INTERVIEW - Shell set for rapid growth in wind power: Anglo-Dutch Energy giant Shell is poised for three years' of rapid growth in wind power as part of a billion dollar push into green energy, a senior executive told Reuters this week. (Stuart Penson, Reuters, 8 Mar. 2002)

EPA Orders Air Quality Improvements at Mystic Station Power Plant in Everett [USA]: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has ordered the Mystic Station power plant in Everett to take immediate steps to reduce the amount of soot and other particulate pollutants coming out of its smoke stacks. Sithe Mystic, which owns the oil-fired power plant, is cooperating with EPA's compliance order. The order comes after years of complaints by Greater Boston residents about Mystic's smoke, which contains particulate pollution that can trigger asthma and other respiratory illnesses. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 6 Mar. 2002)

Lawsuits may be next weapon in climate change fight: Lawsuits may become the next weapon against climate change as impotent, tiny islands, sinking beneath the waves, seek revenge on the rich polluting nations and multinational concerns they accuse of wiping them out...Australia and the United States could possibly be challenged in the International Court of Justice for not ratifying Kyoto...An alternative avenue might be the U.S. alien tort claims act, which could allow Pacific islands to sue car makers, power station operators or oil firms for pollution. (Michael Christie, Reuters, 6 Mar. 2002)

US says Kyoto no help to sinking isles (Paul Tait, Reuters, 6 Mar. 2002)

EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency] Administrator Whitman Honors 47 Citizen, Industry, Government Groups for Innovative Efforts to Clean Air [USA]: For their outstanding and innovative efforts in helping clean the nation's air, EPA Administrator Christie Whitman today honored 47 local and state governments, industries and citizens groups at the second Annual Clean Air Excellence Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. [companies receiving awards include CSX Transportation, Orbital Engine Corporation, Intel Corporation, Georgia-Pacific Corp., Gibson Technologies, Playa Capital Company, Con Edison, Merck] (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 5 Mar. 2002)

EPA Veteran Resigns Over Pollution Policy [USA]: A senior Environmental Protection Agency official resigned this week, protesting what he described as Bush administration efforts to undermine tough legal actions against dozens of aging coal-fired power plants and refineries that have violated federal emission standards. (Eric Pianin, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2002)

Blowing the Whistle: At Enron, all the signs were that the company cared about corporate ethics. In July 2000 the firm issued a code of ethics and Lay sent a memo ordering all employees to read the 61-page booklet and sign a certificate of compliance. Additionally, the company liked to stress its commitment to "RICE" -- respect, integrity, communication and excellence. The words were printed on T-shirts, on paperweights and on signs posted around the company. Yet there was another side to Enron's culture (Caroline E. Mayer and Amy Joyce, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2002)

Manhattan Beer's natural gas trucks set an example for companies nationwide and mean cleaner air for New York City -...We congratulate Manhattan Beer, Kingdom Group, Bell Power Systems, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York City’s Private Fleet Alternative-Fuel Program, and the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program for this successful collaboration. (Joanna D. Underwood, President, INFORM, 4 Feb. 2002)

Fluff is not enough - managing responsibility for corporate citizenship: Consider this company, which has been widely classified as a great corporate citizen...This company won 6 environmental awards in 2000, has widely recognized human rights, environmental, anti-corruption, anti-bribery, and climate change policies...The only small problem? You guessed it. The company is Enron (Sandra Waddock, Professor of Management at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management & Senior Research Fellow at Boston College's Center for Corporate Citizenship, in Ethical Corporation Magazine, Feb. 2002)

PSEG to spend $300 million on clean air compliance [USA]: Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. said on Thursday it had agreed to spend $300 million over 10 years to install equipment to limit air pollution at its New Jersey coal-fired power plants in a settlement with federal and state regulators. (Chris Baltimore, Reuters, 28 Jan. 2002)

Thailand says coal power plants need to prove case: Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Saturday two controversial coal-fired power stations could be given the go ahead if they prove new technology will limit their environmental impact. (Reuters, 28 Jan. 2002)

Endesa Signs Global Labour Agreement: Power sector's first worldwide union-management council - Power multinational Endesa will meet unions from its operations worldwide in a regular global council, under an agreement signed at the company's headquarters in Madrid today. The union rights, safety and training provisions of the new global agreement are specifically linked to the international standards set by the Conventions of the UN's International Labour Organisation. (ICEM-International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions, 25 Jan. 2002)

Sierra Club Files Suit Against Cheney's Energy Task Force [USA]: Case Asserts Task Force Kept Public Out, Dealt with Oil Companies Behind Closed Doors -...After numerous attempts by Congress and others to find out how much influence polluting industries had in drafting the energy plan, the Sierra Club is forced to file a suit today against Vice President Cheney's Energy Task Force, which prepared the proposal. (Sierra Club, 25 Jan. 2002)

Local Utilities and Labor Union Assist Hotel and Restaurant Workers In the Nation's Capital in the Aftermath of 9-11 [Washington, D.C.]: It was an opportunity for hotel and restaurant workers [laid off since 11 September] to apply for discounts on their utility bills...Volunteers from Pepco, Washington Gas, Verizon and the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) were on hand to process applications and answer questions regarding utility discount programs. (PRNewswire, 25 Jan. 2002)

More nooses found at Georgia Power plant [USA] - Georgia Power Co. said Wednesday that workers at one of its power plants have found five hangman's nooses, five months after a racial discrimination lawsuit against the company was denied class-action status. The lawsuit alleged Georgia Power maintained discriminatory employment, personnel and human resources policies and failed to remove pictures of nooses in the company's operating headquarters of Cornelia. (AP, 24 Jan. 2002)

Greenwash + 10: The UN's Global Compact, Corporate Accountability and the Johannesburg Earth Summit [includes references to Norsk Hydro] (Kenny Bruno, CorpWatch, 24 Jan. 2002)

company website: Norsk Hydro (Norsk Hydro)

Enron: History of Human Rights Abuse in India - The human rights abuses that plagued the Enron Corporation's Dabhol power plant in India from 1992 to 1998 demonstrate the need for U.S. government agencies to scrutinize such controversial projects more closely, Human Rights Watch said today. (Human Rights Watch, 23 Jan. 2002)

company website: Enron (Enron)

AES environmental impact study [for power plant being built by Applied Energy Services Inc.] found inconclusive and vague [Honduras] (Maria Fiallos, Honduras This Week, 21 Jan. 2002)

Former Shell chief calls for more renewable energy: The former head of world number two oil group Royal Dutch/Shell last week called for western nations to increase renewable energy targets and bring down the cost of green energy technology (Matthew Jones, Reuters, 21 Jan. 2002)

Governments challenged to back green energy: Former Shell boss, Sir Mark Moody Stuart today challenged Western Governments to increase their renewable energy targets, at the launch of The Body Shop and Greenpeace International campaign, Choose Positive Energy. (Body Shop & Greenpeace, Choose Positive Energy campaign, 18 Jan. 2002)

US utility pollution lawsuits detailed: The U.S. Justice Department said this week it would continue to prosecute seven lawsuits filed by the Clinton administration against coal-fired utilities which allegedly expanded old plants without installing new air pollution controls [companies sued were FirstEnergy Corp, Duke Energy Corp, Vectren Corp's Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Co, Dynegy Inc's Illinois Power, Cinergy Corp, American Electric Power Co and Southern Co] (Reuters, 17 Jan. 2002)

Bush admin won't drop utility pollution lawsuits:...green groups said it was a hollow victory because the emissions law is likely to be relaxed in the future (Chris Baltimore, Reuters, 17 Jan. 2002)

NY sues 2 power firms over air pollution rules: New York state officials said on Thursday they have filed a federal lawsuit against Niagara Mohawk Holdings, Inc. and NRG Energy, Inc. alleging violations of the Clean Air Act at two coal-burning power plants in western New York (Reuters, 11 Jan. 2002)

Californian court to hear chromium lawsuits [claims of chromium poisoning] against PG&E (Reuters, 10 Jan. 2002)

2001:

Electromagnetic fields: Review Links Electrical Lines With Leukemia (UN Wire, 19 Dec. 2001)

Global Energy Providers Score Well in Corporate Responsibility Ratings: New study by German research firm Oekom identifies several trends developing worldwide in the power delivery sector. (William Baue, SocialFunds.com, 6 Dec. 2001)

Corporations Behaving Badly: The Ten Worst Corporations of 2001 [Abbott Laboratories, Argenbright Security, Bayer, Coca Cola, Enron, ExxonMobil, Philip Morris, Sara Lee, Southern Co. and Wal-Mart] (Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman, Multinational Monitor, Dec. 2001)

company websites:
- Abbott Laboratories
- Argenbright Security, a subsidiary of Securicor
- Bayer
- Coca Cola
- Enron
- ExxonMobil
- Philip Morris
- Sara Lee
- Southern Co.
- Wal-Mart

Southern Company campaign contributions outpace industry [USA]: Utility increased campaign giving more than 78% in 2001 -...Southern Company...operates some of the most polluting power plants in the nation. (press release, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, 29 Nov. 2001)

report: Dirty Money: Tracking Southern Company's Growing Political Spending in the 107th Congress (U.S. Public Interest Research Group, 29 Nov. 2001)

company website: Southern Co.

OPG to spend C$250 million to cut smog emissions [Canada]: Ontario Power Generation, the province's biggest electricity producer, said yesterday it will spend C$250 million ($156 million) to reduce smog by up to 80 percent at two of its coal-fired generating stations. (Reuters, 27 Nov. 2001)

Environmentalists Attempt to Dam Hydroelectric Project: Canadian energy supplier Fortis, Inc. faces strong opposition from environmentalists over its proposed hydroelectric dam on the Macal River in Belize. (William Baue, SocialFunds.com, 17 Nov. 2001)

Businesses Convey Interest in Sustainable Mobility - Report on the challenges of achieving long-term sustainable transportation offers multinational automotive and energy companies, as well as governments, food for thought...The study, entitled “Mobility 2001,” was issued by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development’s Sustainable Mobility Project. The Sustainability Mobility Project is a cooperative effort of eleven multinational automotive and energy companies seeking to develop a global vision for sustainable mobility. (Mark Thomsen, SocialFunds.com, 5 Nov. 2001)

press release: ''Mobility 2001'' report - Sustainable Mobility - present patterns of transport must change: The state of world transport systems is a very real concern: congestion, poor infrastructure, accident rates, noise and pollution are already at worrying levels and are getting worse in many parts of the world. Early and significant action is needed: mobility as we know it must change. Mobility in the developing World is of particular concern. (World Business Council on Sustainable Development, 11 Oct. 2001)

report: ''Mobility 2001'' (World Business Council on Sustainable Development, Oct. 2001) {···english} {···español} {···français}

UK launches 3 million pound solar energy scheme: Britain is offering energy companies three million pounds ($4.39 million) to help develop solar power systems for public buildings like schools, churches and hospitals, the government said yesterday (Reuters, 2 Nov. 2001)

German VDEW rejects mandatory emissions trading: German power industry association VDEW yesterday rejected European Union plans to stipulate the trading of pollution right certificates from 2005, saying its voluntary climate protection measures would suffer. (Reuters, 26 Oct. 2001)

Enron: Washington's Number One Behind-the-Scenes GATS Negotiator -...Enron's connections with the Bush Administration make it one of the most powerful corporate players in Washington today. And these connections make it an even more influential player in the WTO's service negotiations. (Tony Clarke, Director of the Polaris Institute, for CorpWatch, 25 Oct. 2001)

company website: Enron

UK polluting more thanks to shift to coal: A shift towards burning more coal in Britain's power stations is threatening to derail government plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions, seen by many scientists as contributing to global warming. (Matthew Jones, Reuters, 25 Oct. 2001)

A badge of approval: A new type of relationship is emerging between companies and NGOs, one where NGOs act as certification bodies, verifying, and in many cases permitting use of their logos for this purpose, that products and services are being produced in socially responsible and environmentally friendly ways. (Sarah Murray, in Responsible business in the global economy: A Financial Times Guide, 23 Oct. 2001)

Snapple's natural gas forklifts and refueling station set an example for companies nationwide and mean cleaner air for New York City -...We congratulate Snapple, Pride Equipment, Kingdom Group and KeySpan Energy for the collaboration that made this project possible. (Joanna D. Underwood, President, INFORM, 18 Oct. 2001)

Australia energy group warns of renewables slide: The Sustainable Energy Industry Association of Australia said yesterday that renewable energy risked losing market share after a mandated government target for its use expired at the end of the decade. (Reuters, 18 Oct. 2001)

Malaysia's Tenaga signs two power purchase deals: Malaysian state power utility Nasional Bhd said yesterday it had agreed to buy power from two renewable energy producers as part of the government's plan to decrease its reliance on natural gas. (Reuters, 17 Oct. 2001)

EPA to give views on utility pollution by year-end [USA]: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Todd Whitman said Tuesday the administration would likely issue its position before the end of the year on proposed stricter requirements for utilities' air emissions. (Reuters, 17 Oct. 2001)

Bo Nok Power Plant [Thailand]: Developers say attack on staff won't scare them off - Firm plans legal action, says boss - Gulf Electric Plc, developer of the Bo Nok coal-fired power plant in Prachuap Khiri Khan, says an attack on its staff will not persuade it to pull out. Villagers who attacked its employees and a marine biologist last weekend had infringed on their human rights and legal action would be taken. (Anchalee Kongrut, Bangkok Post, 16 Oct. 2001)

Scientists urge more US use of renewable energy: The United States could produce at least 20 percent of its electricity from wind, solar, geothermal and other renewable energy sources by 2020, according to a report released yesterday from the Union of Concerned Scientists (Reuters, 16 Oct. 2001)

Clean Energy Blueprint: A Smarter National Energy Policy for Today and the Future [USA] (Union of Concerned Scientists, 15 Oct. 2001)

New US multilateralism won't stretch to Kyoto: The United States' quest to build an international coalition to fight terrorism is unlikely to make it adopt a multilateral approach to halt the threat of global warming, analysts said. (Robin Pomeroy, Reuters, 15 Oct. 2001)

Mexico moves to bolster solar, wind and hydro power: Mexico, a nation four years away from a possible power crunch, is pushing to drum up new solar, wind and hydroelectric power projects to meet its electricity needs, officials said this week. (Reuters, 11 Oct. 2001)

Sydkraft sells green certificates to Dutch Nuon: Swedish power company Sydkraft said yesterday it had sold 100 gigawatt hours of electricity with so-called green certificates to Dutch multi-utility Neon (Reuters, 10 Oct. 2001)

UK power industry readies for green energy trading: British electricity companies are gearing up to start trading green energy certificates in January as part of a government scheme to encourage the expansion of the country's fledgeling renewable energy sector. (Matthew Jones, Reuters, 8 Oct. 2001)

Norway establishes green natural gas committee: Norway said last week it had established a public committee to seek ways to develop environmentally friendly technologies for the utilisation of natural gas such as low-emission gas-fired power plants...The committee, whose members come from environment organisations, industry and science, is scheduled to present a report by March 1, 2002. (Reuters, 8 Oct. 2001)

US lawmaker - utilities must cut 4 pollutants, not 3: A high-stakes meeting to discuss proposed changes to the Clean Air Act began yesterday with the head of the Senate Environment committee vowing to hold U.S. electric utilities accountable for cutting emissions. Democrats want to require utilities to begin making steep cuts in 2002 in emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and carbon dioxide. (Chris Baltimore, Reuters, 5 Oct. 2001)

EPA aims to force cleanup near plant, report says [USA]: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has asked the attorney general's office to force Exelon Corp. to clean up thousands of gallons of diesel fuel that spilled into a creek near its Braidwood nuclear power plant, WGN-Ch. 9 reported Wednesday. (Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2001)

US gov't reports set stage for multi-pollutant debate: Tightening the Clean Air Act to limit toxic emissions by U.S. power plants would boost power generation costs by tens of billions of dollars over the next 20 years, the U.S. government said in a new pair of reports. (Chris Baltimore, Reuters, 4 Oct. 2001)

Ameren's Union Electric cited for chemical spill: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 filed an administrative complaint against Ameren Corp.'s Union Electric Co. subsidiary for failure to report a hazardous chemical release in Venice, Illinois, in a timely manner, the EPA said yesterday. (Reuters, 3 Oct. 2001)

UK power industry should keep eye on environment: Britain's competitive power industry has done much to improve its environmental record but pressure to cut costs must not be allowed to dilute efforts to keep the environment clean, the head of the environment agency said last week. (Reuters, 2 Oct. 2001)

Venezuela: Pemón fight power project: The Pemón Indians live in the Gran Sabana, a UNESCO World Heritage area of grasslands and forest in south-east Venezuela. In contravention of international law and Venezuela's own constitution, the government has not recognised the land ownership rights of many Pemón communities. Now the government has built a huge powerline project which the Indians fear is intended to provide electricity for mining companies who are eyeing up the area's rich mineral wealth. The Venezuelan army has been threatening and attacking the Pemón who have resisted the scheme. (Survival International, Oct. 2001)

{···español} Venezuela: los pemón resisten contra proyecto eléctrico

Company directors must show zero tolerance of pollution [UK]: Pollution is still being treated as an acceptable risk by too many businesses in England and Wales, the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said today. A culture change is needed across management, Barbara Young said, with zero tolerance for pollution replacing apathy and acceptance of poor environmental performance. (Environment Agency [UK Government], 28 Sep. 2001)

Company directors must show zero tolerance of pollution [UK]: The Fuel and Power Sector

EPA Partners with Businesses to Promote Green Power [U.S.]: Voluntary program has enlisted companies, cities, universities and others with the aim of boosting the market for renewable energy. The [U.S.] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently launched the Green Power Partnership, a voluntary program to increase the use of energy generated from renewable sources. Fortune 500 companies such as 3M, Ford, General Motors and office furniture manufacturer Steelcase have signed on as founding partners, along with several cities, universities and federal government offices. (Mark Thomsen, SocialFunds.com, 27 Sep. 2001)

Mirant Pledges $50 Million to Establish `Progressive' Policies on Environment: With a commitment of $50 million to help curb global warming, Mirant Corp. is seeking to develop its own "progressive" environmental credentials apart from former parent Southern Co. (Matthew C. Quinn, Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 22 Sep. 2001)

LATTICE - Social exclusion [UK] - The Lattice Group [1 of 3 successor companies to the former British Gas plc] has developed an innovative way of encouraging school-age teenagers who play truant or are excluded from lessons back into education. Its Lattice Cred project shows how companies can work in partnership with the public sector to raise educational standards...The venture is a partnership between Lattice, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and Reading borough council. (Ethical Performance magazine, autumn 2001)

Malaysia to license two renewable energy plants (Reuters, 20 Sep. 2001)

Mirant commits $50 million to climate change initiatives: A global energy company with power plants in the Americas, Europe, and Asia has announced a $50 million investment to help find solutions to global climate change. Mirant of Atlanta, Ga., will invest the fund over 10 years, the company said in its first annual environmental report released recently...Mirant announced a corporate environmental policy, an environmental management system, environmental performance indicators to set improvement targets and measure performance, and a decision to link its employees' compensation to environmental performance. (Environmental News Network, 19 Sep. 2001)

Initiatives: Partnership Project Examples - Suez: The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) and a leading European energy company, Suez, today announced a wide-ranging cooperation agreement to promote the services of corporate volunteers in developing countries. (United Nations Global Compact, 13 Sep. 2001)

Traditional Spirits Block a $500 Million Dam Plan in Uganda: AES Corp., an Arlington, Va.-based company that has grown into the world's largest independent power producer, has struck a $500 million deal with the Ugandan government to build a massive dam near Bujagali that would greatly expand power capacity for the country, where fewer than 5 percent of the 22 million residents have electricity. While constructing a 100-foot-high wall of concrete across the Nile is certainly a technical feat, the business deal is encountering even bigger cultural and environmental challenges. (Marc Lacey, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2001)

Administration's Energy Connections Elicit Concerns [USA]: While the Bush administration reviews whether to pursue lawsuits against companies accused of violating the Clean Air Act, some of Bush's top officials working on the issue formerly worked for a law firm that lobbied on behalf of the very companies involved in the suit, the Washington Post reports. (Power Report: The Power Marketing Association Online, 12 Sep. 2001)

Energy-Industry's Links to Regulators, Administration Worry Environmentalists [USA]: Is the Bush administration plotting to drop lawsuits against electricity generators accused of polluting the air in violation of the Clean Air Act? (James V. Grimaldi, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2001)

UNDP launches two new trust funds to strengthen energy and environmental contribution to human development: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today launched two major thematic trust funds to help countries pursue environmentally sound policies and promote energy as an engine for economic growth. (U.N. Development Programme, 10 Sep. 2001)

Solar Power Is Reaching Where Wires Can't: Strategies Unlimited predicts that the leading companies in the industry, like the Royal Dutch/Shell Group, Siemens, BP, Sanyo Electric, Sharp, Kyocera and AstroPower, will continue to have revenue growth of about 20 percent a year from these markets. That will make the remote rural market alone worth roughly $2.5 billion by 2005...International organizations like the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program have started to put money into projects, and businesses, to help solve the financing problem. (David Lipschultz, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2001)

Congress body may sue White House: The US congressional investigative and audit agency said yesterday that it may sue the White House over its refusal to name the corporate leaders the administration consulted over its controversial energy plan. (Julian Borger, Guardian [UK], 8 Sep. 2001)

Heating Up the Globe? See You in Court: Taking a cue from broad-based, class-action lawsuits like those filed on behalf of Holocaust survivors or against tobacco companies, a group of environmental lawyers is exploring novel legal strategies to adopt against global warming...The lawyers, representing groups like Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council, envision winning damages for people or whole countries that have suffered adverse effects of global warming. (Katharine Q. Seelye, New York Times, in International Herald Tribune, 7 Sep. 2001)

Nations face pollution suits: Environmental groups are threatening to sue the governments of America, Britain and other countries accused of causing pollution, on behalf of millions of people affected by global warming. A consortium of lawyers representing organisations such as Greenpeace and America's World Wildlife Fund have discussed ways of holding governments and corporations to account for damage done to the planet by carbon dioxide and other emissions. (Ben Fenton, Daily Telegraph [UK], 7 Sep. 2001)

Chinese experts call for control of sulfur dioxide emissions: China may suffer economic losses totalling 240 billion US dollars in the next decade if no immediate action is taken to control emissions of sulphur dioxide, state media quoted Chinese energy experts saying Wednesday. Sulphur dioxide will become the leading source of air pollution in China, Xu Xuchang, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told a environmental forum which opened Tuesday the news agency Xinhua said. (AFP, in Daily Star [Bangladesh], 7 Sep. 2001)

Companies Tell of Successful Transformation: Speakers from Sanlam and Eskom report progress towards promoting diversity and combating discrimination [panel discussion - U.N. World Conference Against Racism]: The speakers were handpicked to describe how their companies and organisations have succeeded in the struggle for gender and race equality in the workplace. Their performances were polished if lengthy case studies of how businesses can change to reflect the demographics in SA [South Africa] and Sweden, as well as nondiscrimination amid British trade unions...Despite these good intentions, Friday's presentations were met with waves of disbelief from the floor. (Business Day [Johannesburg], 5 Sep. 2001)

EU to challenge German green power aid - magazine: European Union Competition Commissioner Mario Monti is due to launch action against German subsidy laws for so-called green energies, according to an article in Focus magazine. (Reuters, 5 Sep. 2001)

Locals worried about impact of power plant [Thailand] - Will petition PM as he pays visit today: Civic activists are prepared to greet Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is scheduled to visit the province today, by handing him a petition opposing a biomass power plant project. Plueng Khongkaew, a leader of the civic group Trang Assembly, said local people were worried about the adverse environmental impact. (Bangkok Post, 2 Sep. 2001)

Swiss business and human rights: Confrontations and partnerships with NGOs [refers to Nestlé, Novartis, UBS, Credit Suisse, ABB, Coop, Migros, Switcher, Veillon] (Antoine Mach, study commissioned by Antenna International, Sep. 2001) note: scroll down on the linked page - this report appears under the "Documents" sub-heading for downloading in English or French

{···français} Entreprises suisses et droits de l'homme: Confrontations et partenariats avec les ONG [référence à Nestlé, Novartis, UBS, Credit Suisse, ABB, Coop, Migros, Switcher, Veillon] (Antoine Mach, Sep. 2001)

AES: IFC’s Corporate Welfare King: No single company benefits more from the IFC’s [International Finance Corporation's] generosity than Arlington, Virginia-based Applied Energy Services (AES), the largest independent power producer in the world. (Charlie Cray, Multinational Monitor, Sep. 2001)

Panel Discussion in Durban about Discrimination is Everybody's business - Discrimination is Everybody's Business: From Discrimination to Diversity - A Corporate Led Initiative in the Framework of the UN Global Compact - The World Conference Against Racism...is the launching ground for this initiative...The six companies behind this initiative are the South African Financial Services Group Sanlam, the Swedish Car Manufacturer Volvo Car Corporation, the Brazilian Media Corporation Organizações Globo, the Indian IT Company Satyam, the South African Energy Utility Eskom, and the American Car Manufacturer Ford Motor Company. (United Nations, prepared in advance of the World Conference Against Racism, 31 Aug. - 7 Sep. 2001)

E.ON says will be almost emissions-free by 2006: Europe's second biggest listed utility, Germany's E.ON , said yesterday that by 2006 most of its power generation will not produce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions thanks to recent changes in its fuel base following agreements with foreign utilities. (Reuters, 30 Aug. 2001)

DSM, Siemens launch paper waste-to-fuel venture: Dutch chemicals group DSM NV said yesterday it and German technology group Siemens had signed an agreement to cooperate on plants that turn recycled paper waste into fuel. (Reuters, 30 Aug. 2001)

EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency] pollution limits draw fire from DOE [U.S. Department of Energy] - sources: The Bush administration is divided over how far the federal government should go to cut power plant emissions at a time when electricity supplies are tight, environmental groups and congressional sources said yesterday. (Chris Baltimore, Reuters, 29 Aug. 2001)

German industry slams EU emissions trading plan: The German energy industry was firmly at loggerheads with government and European Commission officials Tuesday over plans to introduce an EU state-wide, company-based emissions trading system by 2005. (Reuters, 29 Aug. 2001)

How energy firms got their say on Bush policy: Executives who stood to benefit enjoyed access - Throughout February and March, executives representing electricity, coal, natural gas and nuclear interests paraded quietly in small groups to a building in the White House compound, where the new administration's energy policy was being written...Many of the executives at the White House meetings were generous donors to the Republican Party, and some of their key lobbyists were freshly hired from the Bush presidential campaign. They found a receptive task force. (Judy Pasternak, Los Angeles Times, in San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Aug. 2001)

EPA seeks strict limits on producers of power [USA]: The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking approval from the White House to place tight new restrictions on the amount of pollution from power plants, congressional and industry sources say. (Traci Watson, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2001)

Mexico Power Plants Raise Environmental Eyebrows: One of the methods employed to battle California's power crisis was to build plants in Mexico, where environmental restrictions are more relaxed. But a number of people are saying that cheap power simply isn't worth the environmental repercussions of air and water contamination. (KGTV [San Diego], 26 Aug. 2001)

Limited access to Bush for environmentalists: Little opportunity to lobby administration - Environmental leaders say they never got a real chance to influence the administration's energy policy report in favor of greater conservation efforts and renewable power. (San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Aug. 2001)

Power Shift: American-owned power plants slated for construction in northern Mexico will provide plenty of electricity for Californians -- and plenty of pollution for local residents. (Kimberly Lisagor, Mother Jones, 24 Aug. 2001)

Replace dirty coal with the wind, engineers say: Health, environmental costs make it twice as expensive - Wind power is now cheaper than coal and could become a leading source of electricity with the right political support and investment, researchers said Thursday. The Stanford engineers calculated that building some 225,000 wind turbines across the country would be expensive — at an initial cost of $338 billion — but that the payback would include a huge drop in emissions tied to global warming. (MSNBC, 23 Aug. 2001)

Shell studies energy brick for cooking in African villages: An official of Royal Dutch/Shell said this week the company was studying the possibility of making a smokeless energy brick for cooking in African villages to reduce firewood consumption. (Reuters, 23 Aug. 2001)

Solar Power Lights Up Lives [public/private partnership aiming to solar-electrify 50,000 households in South Africa]: "There's nothing new in the technology, but what we're doing is unique, we're offering a complete solar utility service to isolated and scattered communities," Elize Gothard of Shell Solar Southern Africa told IRIN. (UN Integrated Regional Information Network, 21 Aug. 2001)

Air pollution labeled a killer: Direct link to deaths, study claims - A study released today provides substantial new evidence that air pollution from automobile exhausts and smokestacks is killing people worldwide. (Charles Seabrook, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 17 Aug. 2001)

AIR POLLUTION: Fossil Fuel Pollution A Current Health Hazard, Study Says - Pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels may have devastating effects on the global climate in years to come, but it is already killing people in cities around the world by contributing to asthma, heart disease and lung disorders, five scientists say in a study appearing in today's Science. (UN Wire, 17 Aug. 2001)

Air and water pollution becoming great threat to citizens of Multan [Pakistan]: Air pollution and water pollution have become a great threat to the existence of the residents of Multan, spreading critical diseases due to continuous flow and discharge of gases from industrial fertiliser plants and liquid waste from municipal and industrial sources. [pollution from tanneries, paper factories, fertiliser units, dyes factories and textile matching units, sugar factories, power generating plants, oil and gas plants] (Hoover's Online, 15 Aug. 2001)

EPA delays review of power plant pollution rules: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Tuesday it would delay until September its assessment of whether the agency should change the way power plants and oil refineries are regulated for clean air violations. (Tom Doggett, Reuters, 15 Aug. 2001)

ENVIRONMENT-U.S.: Critics Condemn Review of Clean Air Act - President George W. Bush's request to review the Clean Air Act - considered one of the most important U.S. environmental laws - could halt government efforts to stop some of the world's largest energy companies from polluting, warn health and environmental advocates. (Danielle Knight, Inter Press Service, 1 Aug. 2001)

Brazil sees a new forest for the trees: The reconstruction of [41,500 acres of] the Atlantic Forest, one of the world's most diverse and endangered wooded areas, was under way. The restoration project has been made possible by an unusual collaboration between Brazilian ecologists and U.S. multinational corporations [General Motors and American Electric Power]. They [the multinationals] hope to one day recoup their investment from institutions that will pay big companies, through the much-vaunted carbon sequestration market, to keep the atmosphere clean. (Andrew Downie, Washington Times, 31 July 2001)

EnBW says to invest millions of marks in renewables: Germany's third biggest utility EnBW said last week it plans to invest "millions of marks" in renewable energy projects. (Reuters, 30 July 2001)

Attempt To Weaken Clean Air Standards Called An Attack On Public Health [USA]: Industry Up To Old Tricks Again (Earthjustice, 27 July 2001)

Study estimates environmental costs of energy output: The cost of producing electricity from coal or oil would double if costs such as damage to the environment and health were taken into account, according to the results of a study published last week. The cost of electricity production from gas would increase by 30 percent if these so-called "external costs" were factored in, the European Union-funded research study found. (Reuters, 23 July 2001)

G8 plan for Africa pointless without renewable energy support (joint statement by Greenpeace, WWF and ECA Watch, 22 July 2001)

NAFTA Panel Examines Air Pollution: Electricity plant emissions and waste made up the largest portion of industrial pollution in Canada and the United States in 1998, according to a report issued Friday. (Associated Press, in Las Vegas Sun, 20 July 2001)

Financial Sector Responding To Climate Change - Impatient With Pace Of Political Progress: At a meeting here today, senior executives from leading financial companies told government officials gathered in Bonn for the climate change negotiations that key business sectors, facing both liabilities and opportunities associated with global warming, will see a new investment dynamic emerge. The bankers and insurers predicted that capital will shift from "carbon fuels toward renewable energy, efficiency programmes, and advanced public transit systems." (United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP], 18 July 2001)

Ex-Republican senator aims at power plant emissions [USA]: Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords, who quit the Republican party, giving control of the Senate to the Democrats, said on Tuesday that as head of the Senate Environment committee he would try to cap US power plant emissions to help curb global warming. (Reuters, 18 July 2001)

G8 report sees renewables as key energy for poor: Green energies like wind and solar power could play a major role in improving the lives of millions of the world's poorest people, says a report to be handed to world leaders at a summit in Genoa, Italy next weekend. The report, co-written by Mark Moody-Stuart, the chairman Anglo-Dutch oil giant Royal Dutch/Shell, says the G8 countries should aim to ensure renewable energies reach one billion people by the end of the decade, according to a draft seen by Reuters on Friday. (Robin Pomeroy, Reuters, 16 July 2001)

Smog Feared in Power Buildup Electricity: Bush administration's plan for up to 1,900 plants over 20 years poses a threat to air quality, especially in the Midwest and South, experts say. [USA] (Gary Polakovic, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2001)

US business looks beyond the Kyoto "quagmire" [regarding Global Climate Coalition (GCC), the anti-Kyoto business association] (Patrick Connole, Reuters, 16 July 2001)

China to be keen observer at Bonn climate talks: China, cited by President George W. Bush as a key reason why the United States walked away from a treaty aimed at cutting greenhouse gases, said on Friday it would send observers to next week's climate talks in Germany....Most developing countries like China are waiting for developed countries to take the lead in reducing emissions. But some experts say China, the world's most populous country and home to many of the world's most polluted cities, is cleaning up its act even without the force of treaty obligations. (Paul Eckert, Reuters, 16 July 2001)

Energy Firms Give Commitment to Environment Friendly Operation: The American energy consortium, AES Nigeria Barge Limited, which has taken over the construction of the Lagos State Independent Power project from Enron has reiterated commitment to minimising environmental impact in course of carrying out its operation and service to the state through improved technology. (Vanguard [Lagos], 16 July 2001)

Bush cuts 'green' aid to Third World: President George W Bush is undermining attempts by Third World countries to develop renewable sources of energy and fight global warming, The Independent on Sunday can reveal. He is planning to slash US aid to help them combat climate change, and is watering down a personal initiative by Tony Blair for the world's richest countries to promote solar, wind and other clean energy in developing nations. (Geoffrey Lean, Independent on Sunday [UK], 15 July 2001)

DTI [United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry] courts 'ethical' Shell in drive to develop green energy: The Government is in talks with Shell to try to persuade the oil giant to invest in developing renewable energy plants in the UK. Shell recently announced it would invest between $500m (£360m) and $1bn (£650m) in renewable energy worldwide – and the Government wants a significant chunk of this to be spent in Britain. (Heather Tomlinson, Independent [UK], 15 July 2001)

US energy companies propose carbon dioxide emission caps (Reuters, 12 July 2001)

Rosy outlook for wind power as new markets emerge: The wind power sector is seen advancing by leaps and bounds over the coming decade as new countries enter the wind map, delegates said at the end of a five-day wind energy conference and exhibition in Copenhagen. (Birgitte Dyrekilde, Reuters, 10 July 2001)

Vocational school teaches job cred: Cred is in an initiative that chimes perfectly with the educational zeitgeist. It involves a private-sector company, Lattice - an offshoot of the old British Gas - funding a school for disaffected schoolchildren that puts the emphasis on vocational qualifications. (Nick Mathiason, The Observer [UK], 8 July 2001)

UK study shows policy change needed to help cut CO2: Britain's target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent by 2010 will not be met with current environment and energy government policies, the conclusion of a study from the Forum for the Future highlighted. (Reuters, 6 July 2001)

New EU law aims to double green energy by 2010: The European Parliament approved a law yesterday that aims to double the share of renewable power in European Union's energy mix by 2010, forming a cornerstone of the EU's climate change policy. (Robin Pomeroy, Reuters, 5 July 2001)

German chemicals body urges US to back Kyoto deal: The VCI German chemical industry association yesterday called on the United States to back the Kyoto protocol to reduce greenhouse gases, saying it made economic sense to find more efficient ways of producing energy (Reuters, 5 July 2001)

Esso says concerned over Body Shop's UK boycott move: Esso yesterday expressed dismay over the Body Shop's decision to back a UK boycott of Esso garages in protest at its parent company's stance on global warming and its past record on renewable energy spending (Stefano Ambrogi, Reuters, 5 July 2001)

BP to invest 120mln euros in solar cell plant in Spain: BP Plc , the world's number three oil company, said yesterday it would invest 120 million euros ($101.7 million) to set up Europe's largest solar power cell factory in Spain (Reuters, 5 July 2001)

Shell to provide solar power for Chinese homes (Reuters, 3 July 2001)

Time is running out for Japan and the Kyoto Protocol: Statement by Bill Hare, Greenpeace International Climate Policy Director (Greenpeace, 2 July 2001)

Up To Two Billion Tonnes Of Carbon Dioxide Saved By Cleaner Energy Schemes By 2005: Industry Acting To Fight Global Warming Despite Political Disagreements Over Kyoto - Voluntary actions by industry, governments and organizations are leading to small but significant reductions in emissions of global warming gases world-wide, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Energy Council (WEC) said. (United Nations Environment Programme, 29 June 2001)

Report of the High-Level Panel on Financing for Development (United Nations, 28 June 2001) {···english···español···français}

Executive Summary of the report {···english···español···français···arabic···chinese···russian}

Recommendations of the report

press release: Proposals by Zedillo panel to fight poverty would alter international financial skyline: Eleven top financial leaders urge improved governance and economic management, more resources for the poor, creation of an International Tax Organization; consideration of an international tax on carbon emissions and of an Economic Security Council; new SDR allocations by the IMF; a consolidated Global Environmental Organization, “common pool” aid mechanisms and a more democratic WTO. - Far-reaching recommendations on financial mechanisms to ensure stable global development and to turn the tide against poverty were presented today to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. (United Nations, 28 June 2001)

Greenpeace and The Body Shop launch challenge to bring clean energy to two billion worldwide: Leading environmental organisation Greenpeace has joined forces with international high street retailer, The Body Shop, today, to challenge world governments to provide access to renewable energy for all, in particular the two billion people who live without any power, within ten years. (Greenpeace, 28 June 2001)

German govt, industry sign CHP-subsidising deal: An extended deal on encouraging heat and power (CHP) plants as part of a scheme to lower greenhouse gases emissions was signed by the German government and industry yesterday, the economics ministry said. (Reuters, 26 June 2001)

Funds develop a taste for clean green energy (Stephanie Holmes, Reuters, 26 June 2001)

EU drafts ambitious climate emissions trade plan: A wide range of major European Union industries will be forced to take part in buying and selling the right to emit carbon dioxide (CO2), under a draft EU law seen by Reuters on Friday. (Robin Pomeroy, Reuters, 25 June 2001)

Pollution victims agree to take payout: Plaintiffs in a 12-year court battle over air pollution from factory smoke [including from factories of electric power company, steel companies, chemical companies, gas company] in Nagoya have agreed to a settlement totaling 1.52 billion yen, sources close to the case said Friday (Japan Times, 16 June 2001)

CLIMATE CHANGE: IPCC Chair Slams Bush Position - Global climate change is real, people are to blame for it and developing countries are its first victims, according to Bob Watson, World Bank chief scientist and chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UN Wire, 15 June 2001)

Heart attack risk seen in tiny pollution particles [produced by combustion processes in automobile engines, power plants, refineries and smelters] (Will Dunham, Reuters, 13 June 2001)

Breathing easy in the Lone Star State -- Texas electric company [Green Mountain Energy, provider of wind-power generated electricity] fights carbon dioxide by planting trees (Duane A. Gallop, Earth Times News Service, 12 June 2001)

Bush offers non-binding steps against global warming (Randall Mikkelsen, Reuters, 12 June 2001)

NY [New York] power plan seen good for renewable energy firms (Reuters, 12 June 2001)

Environment: EU Has Twice the Climate Remedies Needed to Hit Kyoto Target (Environment News Service, 11 June 2001)

N.Y. Governor Challenges Bush to Take Action on Global Warming (Environment News Service, 11 June 2001)

ENVIRONMENT: Government policy blamed for conflicts: Power plant boss criticises poor system [Thailand] (Kultida Samabuddhi, Bangkok Post, 10 June 2001)

Warming report pressures Bush - environmentalists: Environmentalists yesterday said a scientists' report that found global warming was worsening should prod President George W. Bush to change his energy policy and focus on addressing climate change (Patrick Connole, Reuters, 8 June 2001)

Leading Climate Scientists Advise White House on Global Warming [USA] (National Academies [National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council] , 6 June 2001)

Energy Deal Between Canada, U.S. Could Increase Greenhouse Gases (Cat Lazaroff, Environment News Service, 5 June 2001)

Bush energy plan faulted for ignoring human rights [letter from Human Rights Watch to Vice President Dick Cheney] (Reuters, 31 May 2001)

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Market Emerges in Chicago: A diverse group of 25 large corporations and nonprofit organizations has agreed to participate in the design phase of a voluntary pilot trading market, the Chicago Climate Exchange. (Environment News Service, 30 May 2001)

Canada's Martin [Finance Minister Paul Martin] wants environmental indicator (Amran Abocar, Reuters, 28 May 2001)

Global Energy Firms Claim Global Warming Milestone - But the evidence...contains some startling flaws (Environment News Service, 24 May 2001)

US utilities form alliance to curb carbon dioxide emissions (Patrick Connole, Reuters, 24 May 2001)

EU criticises US on environment despite UN pact [United Nations treaty to ban certain toxic chemicals] (Eva Sohlman and Alister Doyle, Reuters, 23 May 2001)

US denies new energy plan fuels global warming (Eva Sohlman, Reuters, 23 May 2001)

Energy experts say EU may not meet Kyoto target (Robin Pomeroy, Reuters, 23 May 2001)

UN says US energy policy fuels global warming (Eva Sohlman, Reuters, 22 May 2001)

US has special role in global warming fight - Annan (Christopher Noble, Reuters, 22 May 2001)

Church leaders urge scrutiny of Bush energy policy (Reuters, 22 May 2001)

US energy plan a "crime" - Pacific activists (Michael Christie, Reuters, 21 May 2001)

Bush plan [U.S. President Bush's new energy plan] 'disastrous' for climate - UN climate chief (Reuters, 18 May 2001)

EU [European Union] says Bush energy plan disappointing on climate (Reuters, 21 May 2001)

Bush looks at green in energy plan - critics see red (Patricia Wilson, Reuters, 21 May 2001)

US lawmakers want probe of Cheney's [U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's] energy panel (Timothy Gardner, Reuters, 21 May 2001)

Resource-poor Japan hails Bush energy plan (Miho Yoshikawa, Reuters, 21 May 2001)

WRAPUP - Environmentalists say US energy plans disastrous (Reuters, 18 May 2001)

Coal-fired power plants: All sides to have a say before final decision is reached - Japanese firms keen to start immediately [Thailand] (Kosol Satithamajit, Bangkok Post, 15 May 2001)

Entergy [electricity company in USA] volunteers to limit greenhouse gas emissions (Reuters, 7 May 2001)

White House energy report stirs industry, greens to act (Reuters, 7 May 2001)

Polluted HK [Hong Kong] looks to the winds for cleaner power (Reuters, 7 May 2001)

Calvert Celebrates Environmental Achievement at America's Corporations, Tracking Progress in E-Recycling and Energy Efficiency (E-Wire, 23 Apr. 2001)

Money poses toughest barrier to renewable energy products (Jason Topping Cone, Earth Times News Service, 20 Apr. 2001)

Statement by EarthRights International at CitiGroup Annual Stockholders Meeting (EarthRights International, 17 Apr. 2001)

Citigroup draws criticism on Myanmar, predatory lending (Cal Mankowski, Reuters, 17 Apr. 2001)

BP Announces World's Largest Solar Project (BP, 30 Mar. 2001)

Greenpeace storms the city [Greenpeace Business Seminar on "Climate Change & the Energy Sector: Investment Implications", held at London Stock Exchange] (SANE BP [Shareholders Against New Oil Exploration], 22 Mar. 2001)

Whitman Recognizes 34 Organizations for Energy Savings (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 20 Mar. 2001)

Power to the people: Corrado Clini describes how renewable energy is a key resource for combating poverty and protecting the environment (Corrado Clini, Director General of the Italian Ministry of Environment, in Our Planet, published by U.N. Environment Programme, 2001)

{···español} Potencia para la gente: Corrado Clini describe la energía renovable como un recurso clave para combatir la pobreza y proteger el medio ambiente

{···français} Mettre les populations au courant: Corrado Clini explique ici que l’énergie renouvelable est une ressource essentielle pour lutter contre la pauvreté et protéger l’environnement

2000:

Noose harassment: a growth trend worth reversing [USA] [refers to lawsuits against Home Depot and Georgia Power Company for racial harassment of employees, including display of hangman's noose] (Robert Trigaux, St. Petersburg Times [USA], 19 Nov. 2000)

Planners and builders must now consider all alternatives to large dams: As the only UK organisation that participated in its development, ITDG welcomes the recommendation in today’s report from the World Commission on Dams (WCD) that large dam projects should only be approved where they demonstrably meet the goal of human development - and that alternatives including decentralised energy schemes should be considered from the start. (Intermediate Technology Development Group,16 Nov. 2000)

Corporate giants begin greenhouse gas trading programme (Danielle Knight, Inter Press Service, 18 Oct. 2000)

Saudi Arabia Business Briefing (Amnesty International UK Business Group, June 2000)

Enhancing Supply Chain Performance with Environmental Cost Information: Examples from Commonwealth Edison, Andersen Corporation, and Ashland Chemical (Environmental Accounting Project, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Apr. 2000, on GreenBiz.com)

Saudi Arabia: Open for Business (Amnesty International, 8 Feb. 2000)

1999:

The Enron Corporation: Corporate Complicity in Human Rights Violations [India] (Human Rights Watch, Jan. 1999)