International Update Volume 41, Issue 7
Country:

<p>A Brazilian court lifted an order stopping construction of the controversial Belo Monte hydroelectric plant on Thursday. The plant, which will be the world's third largest hydroelectric dam, is to be built in the Amazon rainforest, but a federal judge ordered construction suspended in February on the grounds that certain necessary environmental provisions had not yet been met. The dam has been met with heavy criticism due to its possible effects on wildlife and its potential impact on indigenous people around the Xingu river.

Country:

<p>China's new five-year plan for 2011-2015 will include key measures to reverse damage caused by 30 years of environmental degradation, including putting carbon emission reduction at the top of its agenda. "<span>The depletion, deterioration and exhaustion of resources and the deterioration of the environment have become serious bottlenecks constraining economic and social development</span>," wrote <span>environment minister Zhou Shengxian</span> in an essay last week.

Country:

<p>Several of the largest energy companies in Europe announced that they would support greater greenhouse gas emission cuts on Friday. The firms included <span>Britain's Scottish &amp; Southern Energy, Denmark's Dong Energy, and Dutch firm Eneco</span>, and they issued a statement in advance of <span>EU climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard's</span> strategy paper expected on Tuesday. The current carbon dioxide target is 20 percent below 1990 levels, but the firms suggested the EU should enact a 25 percent cut target.

You must be an ELR subscriber to access the full content.

You are not logged in. To access this content: