<p>On October 11, the Shanxi government announced plans to establish "no-coal zones" in Datong, a major coal-producing city in the province, to curb pollution. The "no-coal zones," in which the storage, sale, and direct combustion of all kinds of coal will be prohibited, will cover 39 square miles of the city. As a result, households in Datong will switch to cleaner gas heating this winter.

<p>The Cabinet of Ghana has decided to switch all government institutions to solar power in an effort to reduce energy consumption costs. Feasibility studies are already underway for the Jubilee House, the seat of Government, and Parliament House to make the switch. The decision was announced by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at the opening of the Fourth Ghana Renewable Energy Fair in Accra.

<p>On October 10, the European Parliament's Environment and Public Health Committee approved a draft proposal to ban single-use plastic products from the EU market beginning in 2021. Products under the proposal include those made of oxo-degradable plastics, fast-food containers made of expanded polystyrene, single-use cutlery, and drinking straws. The plan also introduces collection and recycling targets for fishing gear containing plastic, which represents 27% of waste found on Europe's beaches.