Bitumen tank fire at MOL refinery

An explosion shook the Zalaegerszeg refinery of Hungarian oil and gas group MOL on Tuesday, the county's directorate for disaster management told local news station MTI.

MTI learned that those living in the neighbourhood of the refinery first heard a blast then they saw a column of smoke rising to the sky above the plant. One of the containers of the refinery is still blazing. Several fire engines are on the spot, trying to extinguish the fire.
On 18 May this year, a 1,000-cubic- metre container filled with bitumen burst into flame at Zalaegerszeg refinery at dawn, when its upper section cracked. Automatic emergency systems operated well and the fire was soon extinguished by local staff. There were no personal injuries, and the fire has been extinguished.
The value of the damage exceeded HUF 10 m, MOL said on its website.

Oldham gas blast update

The death of a child in an explosion in Oldham is being treating as suspicious, Greater Manchester Police said.

The child, believed to be two years old, died in the explosion which happened at about 11:15 BST.

A man, 27, was pulled from the rubble and has been airlifted to Wythenshawe Hospital with serious burns.

Two houses in Buckley Street in the Shaw area of Oldham were destroyed in the blast, said police.

Emergency crews believe everyone is now accounted for following the explosion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england- 18034297

Man burnt in Oldham gas blast

A man has suffered severe burns and others are feared to be trapped after a number of homes were damaged in a suspected gas explosion in Oldham.

Emergency services are at the scene of the "very serious" incident, which is believed to involve a number of terrace properties in the Shaw area.

A spokeswoman for the North West Ambulance Service said one patient had been taken by helicopter to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester with 80% burns.

"We are currently assessing the scene and working closely with other members of the emergency services, with our priority being to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible," she said.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "One man has been rescued following a possible gas explosion in Shaw in Oldham.

"The control room has received numerous calls from members of the public and the initial information from the public is that it involves a number of terraced properties in Duchess Street with possibly people trapped."

Steve McGuirk, chief fire officer for Greater Manchester, said in a tweet: "Just had an update on the incident in Oldham - very serious, we have crews and search and rescue teams on scene working hard."

A statement on the Greater Manchester Police website said: "Emergency services are at the scene following a large explosion in the Shaw area of Oldham. Shortly after 11.15am today, police were called to Shaw following a report that homes had been seriously damaged in a large explosion. Police, fire and ambulance services are at the scene and a cordon is being put in place."

CO2 emissions from new cars down by 3% in 2011

Europeans are buying more efficient cars. Average carbon dioxide emissions from cars continue to fall in Europe, according to preliminary figures released today. The European Environment Agency today published provisional data on average CO2 emissions from new passenger cars registered in 2011. There were 12.8 million new cars registered in the EU in 2011. The average CO2 emissions from these cars were 135.7 grams CO2 per kilometre, which is 4.6g CO2/km less than in 2010 – a reduction of 3.3 %.
Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: "Europe's car manufacturers are delivering towards the 2015 CO2 targets. These data confirm that there's steady progress in improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions from new cars. This is a good sign for the capacity of Europe's car industry to innovate and thus maintain global competitiveness while making their products more efficient."
2011 is the last year before the CO2 targets become binding. The phase-in of the mandatory target of 130gCO2/km to be met in 2015 will start on the basis of the data for 2012.
According to EEA analysis, a combination of changes in buying behaviour, improved technology and engine efficiency was mostly responsible for this reduction.
Car manufacturers will now be asked to verify these preliminary figures before they are confirmed by the Commission later this year.
Background
In the EU, CO2 emissions from road transport have increased by 23 % since 1990, and are now responsible for approximately one fifth of the EU's total emissions.
In order to cut greenhouse gas emissions from transport, carmakers have a collective target for the average car sold in the EU to emit a maximum of 130g CO2/km by 2015 and 95g CO2/km by 2020.
The EEA collects Member States’ data on passenger cars registrations, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 443/2009, and collates them in a database which covers 99.95% of total registrations.
Data collected includes information on CO2 emissions and the mass of the vehicles, reported by all Member States in order to evaluate the performance of the new vehicle fleet towards the CO2 emission target (130g CO2/km by 2015, to be phased-in from 2012).
According to Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 443/2009, Member States must annually submit information to the Commission for each new passenger car registered on their territory. Five Member States were late in submitting their 2011 data. A small number of Member States also have data quality issues that need to be addressed for next year's data monitoring exercise. The EEA has however noted clear improvements in data submissions for a number of Member States.
This dataset is provisional and will be verified by car manufacturers during a three months period to ensure that targets are set on the basis of correct data. The Commission will confirm the final data later in 2012, taking into account any errors notified by manufacturers.

Rio 20+ Sustainable Development future we want draft

Rio 20+ Sustainable Development 'future we want' draft statement The final draft text that will be presented to world leaders as they arrive at the Rio+20 sustainable development conference has been release - the conference likely to be one of the most important for a number of years, sets out a vision for the future our our planet.

Our common vision

1. We, the heads of State and Government and high level representatives, having met at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20-22 June 2012, with full participation of civil society, renew our commitment to sustainable development, and to ensure the promotion of economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future for our planet and for present and future generations.

2. Eradicating poverty is the greatest global challenge facing the world today and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. In this regard we are committed to free humanity from poverty and hunger as a matter of urgency.

3. We therefore acknowledge the need to further mainstream sustainable development at all levels integrating economic, social and environmental aspects and recognizing their interlinkages, so as to achieve sustainable development in all its dimensions.

4. We recognize that poverty eradication, changing unsustainable and promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production, and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development are the overarching objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development. We also reaffirm the need to achieve sustainable development by: promoting sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth, creating greater opportunities for all, reducing inequalities, raising basic standards of living; fostering equitable social development and inclusion; and promoting integrated and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems that supports inter alia economic, social and human development while facilitating ecosystem conservation, regeneration and restoration and resilience in the face of new and emerging challenges.

5. We reaffirm our commitment to making every effort to accelerate the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

6. We recognize that people are at the center of sustainable development and in this regard, we strive for a world which is just, equitable and inclusive, and we commit to work together to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development, environmental protection and thereby to benefit all.

7. We reaffirm that we continue to be guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and with full respect for international law and its principles.

8. We also reaffirm the importance of freedom, peace and security, respect for all human rights, including the right to development and the right to an adequate standard of living, including the right to food, the rule of law, gender equality and women's empowerment and the overall commitment to just and democratic societies for development.

9. We reaffirm the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other international instruments relating to human rights and international law. We emphasize the responsibilities of all States, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, to respect, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind to race, colour, sex, language or religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability or other status.

10. We acknowledge that democracy, good governance and the rule of law, at the national and international levels, as well as an enabling environment are essential for sustainable development, including sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development, environmental protection and the eradication of poverty and hunger. We reaffirm that to achieve our goals of sustainable development. We need institutions at all levels that are effective, transparent, accountable and democratic.

11. We reaffirm our commitment to strengthening international cooperation to address the persistent challenges related to sustainable development for all, in particular in developing countries. In this regard, we reaffirm the need to achieve economic stability and sustained economic growth, promotion of social equity, and protection of the environment, while enhancing gender equality and women's empowerment, and equal opportunities for all, and the protection, survival and development of children to their full potential, including through education.

12. We resolve to take urgent action to achieve sustainable development. We therefore renew our commitment to sustainable development, assessing the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development and addressing new and emerging challenges. We express our determination to address the themes of the Conference, namely a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and the institutional framework for sustainable development.

13. We recognize that people's opportunities to influence their lives and future, participate in decision making and voice their concerns are fundamental for sustainable development. We underscore that sustainable development requires concrete and urgent action. It can only be achieved with a broad alliance of people, governments, civil society and private sector, all working together to secure the future we want for present and future generations.

Explosions have ripped through two fireworks factories in China killing 14 people and injuring 13

A blast yesterday morning at a factory in Dongtun, in Huaiyang district of central Henan province, left seven dead and 12 injured, Xinhua news agency said, quoting local authorities. The factory was operating illegally as its licence had expired, and the family of the owner had been detained by police, it said. Local authorities have ordered the closure of all fireworks factories in the district, the news agency added.
An explosion on Sunday at a licensed fireworks factory in Yichun, in eastern Jiangxi province, also killed seven people and injured one. The cause of the blasts was being investigated, Xinhua said.
China's huge fireworks industry is notorious for its lax safety standards, especially among smaller producers. Exported Chinese fireworks also do not always meet the safety standards of their destination country.
A cargo of seven tonnes of fireworks destined for Austria was judged to be dangerous and seized in November at the Dutch port of Rotterdam.
For better fire safety, learn about fire risk assessment on the CRS NEBOSH Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate course - dates and venues nationwide.

World's largest wind farm is now fully operational

Walney Wind Farm, claimed to be the world's largest operational offshore wind farm with 102 turbines, is now in full working order, it was announced today by SSE, one of the companies behind the development.

Located off the Cumbrian coast, the £1 billion wind farm has a total capacity of 367.2 MW, of which SSE's share is 92MW, delivering around 1GWhr per day.
SSE's Managing Director, Renewables, Jim Smith commented: "Walney is a great example of how much offshore wind has matured as an industry in a relatively short time, and will provide a significant contribution to the UK government's CO2 reduction targets and fuel security ambitions."

Officially opened in February this year by Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, the wind farm development has been handled by Walney (UK) Offshore Windfarms Limited, a partnership between SSE and Dong Energy. , source edie newsroom

Recycle Week 2012 Free Resources

WRAP’s Recycle Week takes place from 18-24 June and continues with the overarching theme of 'Recycling – at home and away'. To accompany this theme, a material focus will highlight the range of plastic bottles that can be recycled – from the kitchen, to the bathroom. Recycle Week guides with details of how you can get involved are available on the Recycle Now website. To help with your Recycle Week communications, four pieces of editorial content have been created that can be localised where necessary.

• MESSAGES AND FACTS - Recycle Week 2012.doc (157 kb)
• EDITORIAL PLASTIC BOTTLES - Recycle Week 2012.doc (171 kb)
• EDITORIAL BOTTLES AND CANS - Recycle Week 20121.doc (168 kb)
• EDITORIAL RECYCLING AT WORK - Recycle Week 2012.doc (172 kb)
• EDITORIAL - FOOTBALL STADIUM RECYCLING - Recycle Week 20121.doc (169 kb)
• Tweets for Recycle Week 2012.doc (66 kb)

Remember, there is a fantastic range of photographic images in the photo library to support your Recycle Week communications. Partners in Wales can visit the Waste Awareness Wales partner site for Welsh-language materials. Corporate Risk Systems Head of Environment, Richard Ball comments’ These resources can help every organisation, sometimes it’s the facts and figures that help to remind people of why it’s important to change our behaviour when it comes to waste for example did you know?

• Plastic bottles were first used commercially in 1947.
• 15 million plastic bottles are used in the UK alone every day.
• If the 15 million bottles used each day were recycled it would be the equivalent of taking 73,000 cars off the road annually – that’s over half the number of cars entering London on any week day.
• 90% of all UK local authorities now offer collection facilities for plastic bottles either from your kerbside collection scheme or at recycling centres.
• 1 tonne of plastic bottles saves 1.5 tonnes of carbon being released into the atmosphere.
• It only takes 25-two litre plastic bottles to make an adult-sized fleece.
• Before recycling please rinse your bottles out, squash them and put the top back on.
• Bottle tops can be recycled too (when put back on the bottle).
• You don’t need to remove the labels as this is done as part of the recycling.
• Currently, only 48% of plastic bottles are recycled.

How you can help the UK take another step to protect endangered sharks

Decades of industrial exploitation have taken their toll, and now all UK seas and their delicate marine habitats are under immense pressure. Only a tiny fraction of our seas are protected from damaging activities, and only eight of a total of 47 fish stocks are known to be in a healthy state and 22 of our marine vertebrates are now considered to be threatened with extinction.

Corporate Risk Systems has a history of supporting our Oceans with its work with the Pacific Whale Foundation as Endangered sharks will be given greater protection following the signing of an international agreement on the conservation of sharks, Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon announced today, we thought we would let you know what you can do to support our oceans

Use the Marine Conservation Society Guide, http://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/fisheries/fishweek/FishWeek_FishList_Jan2011.pdf

Species	Eat			Avoid
Alaska or Walleye Pollock		Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands
Bib or Pouting                                                                     All
Black bream, Porgy or Seabream                                 All
Clam		Farmed (Manila, American Hardshell), Carpet shell
Cockle		Hand gathered
Cod, Atlantic			NE Arctic, Eastern Baltic		Irish Sea, Faroes Bank, Rockall, W.Scotland, Greenland, Norwegian Coast, North Sea, Western Channel
Cod, Pacific		Alaska longline
Coley or Saithe		North Sea, West Scotland & Rockall, NE Arctic
Crab		Spider, pot-caught
Dab                                                                                     All
Eel		European & Conger
Flounder                                                                           All
Gurnard		Grey & Red
Haddock			NE Arctic, North Sea			West Scotland & Faroes
Hake		From Spain & Portugal
Halibut			Farmed (onshore system)			Atlantic, wild caught only
Herring or Sild			Norwegian spring spawning, Celtic Sea, North Sea			West Ireland & West Scotland
Ling		Avoid trawled
Lobster		Western Australian rock				From Southern New England stocks
Mackerel		Handline ,driftnet caught & North Sea
Mussel		Farmed
Oyster		Farmed (native (flat) & Pacific)
Pollack or Lythe		Line caught
Plaice		Celtic Sea, W. English Channel, SW & W Ireland
Prawn		Tiger & King (organic-certified farmed or zero input system)				Tiger & King Prawns; wild caught & non-certified farmed
Ray							Small-eyed & Thornback from Bay of Biscay; all Blonde, Sandy, Shagreen & Undulate
Red Mullet		From NE Atlantic
Salmon			Pacific (5 Species), Atlantic (organic farmed)				Atlantic, wild caught
Sardine or Pilchard		From Cornwall
Scallop		Diver caught King or otter-trawled Queen
Scampi or Dublin Bay Prawn		From Spain & Portugal
Seabass		Line & Gillnet caught					Pelagic trawled
Shark                                                                                                                                                                                                               All
Skate                                                                                                                                                                                                               All
Sole (Dover/Common)		Irish Sea
Sole (Lemon)		Otter trawled, seine net caught
Squid		European; Jig caught
Swordfish		Indian Ocean, Med., S. Atlantic, NW Pacific
Tilapia		Farmed (organic or closed recirculating system)
Trout			Rainbow; organic farmed or freshwater ponds					Brown or Sea; wild caught from Baltic
Tuna (Albacore)			Pole & line or troll caught from South Pacific					South Atlantic
Tuna (Bigeye)		Indian, Atlantic & Central West Pacific
Tuna (Bluefin)                                                                                                                                                                                                    All
Tuna (Skipjack)		Pole & line; Pacific, W. Atlantic or Maldives
Turbot		Farmed (onshore system)						Beam-trawl caught

Endangered sharks will be given greater protection following the signing of an international agreement on the conservation of sharks, Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon announced today. The agreement, the first of its kind to address the global conservation of sharks, was signed by Richard Benyon on behalf of the UK and a number of our Overseas Territories. Adopted under the Convention of Migratory Species it will help develop management measures to protect threatened species such as basking, longfin mako and whale sharks.

Many of these sharks are not only found in UK waters, but in the waters of our Overseas Territories making their involvement crucial in ensuring these animals get the protection they need.

Signing the agreement, Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon said:

“We must do all we can to protect these vulnerable species before they are lost forever. 

“The UK is already pushing the EU to tighten controls on the wasteful and barbaric practice of shark finning, and this agreement further demonstrates our determination to ensure they do have a future.

“We will continue to lead the way on shark conservation internationally and will push for improvements wherever they’re needed.”

Under the agreement, work will focus on improving fisheries data for threatened shark species to help inform conservation and management actions.  It will see better co-ordination of shark management and conservation measures at regional and international levels, including proposals to limit the catch or trade in endangered species of shark.

Today’s signing also extended the agreement to the UK Overseas Territories of Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Indian Ocean Territories and Crown Dependency of the Isle of Man