"There will be a shift in investments" towards energy efficiency, said Nick Mabey, director of E3G think-tank in London. Saving energy, such as by insulating buildings, gives quick returns and can help create jobs.
PLANNING AHEAD
The planned development of the future home of the British Grand Prix is to be assessed for its potential effect on the environment.
Planners declared the application to revamp Donington Park, in Leicestershire, is "valid", paving the way for it to be considered by the year-end.
But the local district council wants an "environmental impact assessment" to find out how the development, which includes new pits and a paddock and temporary grandstands, will affect air quality and noise levels in the area.
North West Leicestershire District Council cabinet member John Bridges said: "The prospect of Formula One at Donington Park is something really exciting for the district as a whole.
"We will though be making sure that the environmental impact of proposed development at the site is properly considered.
PARLIAMENT PERCHA pair of peregrine falcons have been spotted perched on the Houses of Parliament.
The London Wildlife Trust said the peregrines' arrival was part of a national resurgence for the birds which suffered serious declines – due to pesticide poisoning and illegal persecution – in the mid-20th century, when numbers fell to 360 pairs. Protection efforts and restrictions on dangerous pesticides have seen numbers rise nationally to around 1,500 pairs.
NEW PHASEThe European Union's French presidency has proposed watering down plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions from cars by phasing in limits up to 2015.
The EU's executive commission has proposed cutting carbon dioxide from cars by 18% to 130 grams per km by 2012.
However France, which holds the presidency until the end of this year, proposed that just 60% of each manufacturer's fleet should have to meet the standard in 2012, rising to full compliance in 2015.
The full article contains 358 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
