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Beijing Bans Airlines from Complying with EU Emissions Scheme
The Chinese government has barred the country’s airlines from participating in Brussels’ controversial plan to place a levy on foreign airlines for the emissions they use on incoming and outgoing flights. Tensions over the scheme have been rising since it was introduced in January, with several countries speaking out against the agreement in recent months.…
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China Raw Material Export Restrictions Ruled Illegal
In a high-profile dispute over access to natural resources, the WTO’s Appellate Body on Monday confirmed that China violated WTO law and its accession protocol by restricting the export of nine raw materials. The ruling is in response to China’s July 2011 challenge of the panel’s original finding. Beijing’s export restrictions could not be justified as…
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New Report Adds Clarity to Rio+20 Agenda
The UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Global Sustainability on 30 January delivered its long-awaited report, marking a key juncture in the preparations for this year’s UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). The two co-chairs of the High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP), Finnish President Tarja Halonen and South Africa’s Jacob Zuma, presented the report…
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Obama Pushes for Clean Energy in Annual Address
With the November presidential election in his sights, US President Barack Obama took aim at Washington’s clean energy policy in his annual State of the Union address, asking congress to “double-down on a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising.” Obama, addressing a joint session of Congress in his 24 January speech, made a pitch for…
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New York Court Hears Arguments for Proceeding on Major Biotech Case
A much anticipated legal battle between a coalition of organic farmers and biotech giant Monsanto moved forward last week, with oral arguments being presented in a New York court. The class action law suit, launched by a group representing over 300,000 individuals aims to secure a declaratory judgment offering protection against what they call Monsanto’s…
- In Brief
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US, Canada Clinch Two-Year Extension of Softwood Lumber Deal
Washington and Ottawa have signed an extension of their landmark softwood lumber agreement, just days after US President Barack Obama announced his rejection of a plan to build a pipeline that would have carried crude oil from Canada’s oil sands to the US for refining. The lumber pact, which was set to end in 2013, will…
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US Solar Manufacturer Calls for Retroactive Duties on Chinese Imports
The US division of German photovoltaic manufacturer SolarWorld is asking Washington to impose retroactive duties on Chinese-made solar panels back to 15 November 2011. The company says the announced expiration of a US Treasury Department subsidy programme triggered a surge in solar panel imports from China before access to the programme was cut off on…
- Events
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Events
If you would like to see your event listed here or are interested in finding out more about publicising your event through ICTSD, write to the editor. For a more comprehensive list of events for the trade and environment community visit the BioRes online calendar. Coming up in the next two weeks (6-20 February) 1-10 February, New…
- Resources
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Resources
If you have a relevant resource (books, papers, bulletins, etc.) you would like to see announced in this section, please contact the editor. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TOOLS FOR PRODUCTS BASED ON BIOCULTURAL HERITAGE: A LEGAL REVIEW OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS, TRADEMARKS AND PROTECTION FROM UNFAIR COMPETITION. By Graham Dutfield, Published by the IIED (November 2011). This review examines…