Studies & Reports

 

Researchers Find Link Between Corruption, Poor Conservation

Friday, November 7, 2003

Countries with high levels of corruption tend to have poor environmental conservation records, according to a report issued by researchers from the University of Kent in Canterbury, United Kingdom.

The report, Governance and the Loss of Biodiversity, compares country scores from the "corruption perception index" published by Transparency International with the rate of change in forest cover and, for African countries, in its elephant and rhino populations.

South Africa and Botswana are examples of countries with relatively little corruption and healthier wildlife populations, with Sudan and Ethiopia coming in at the other end of the spectrum.

The report urges groups funding and carrying out conservation projects to factor the connection into their planning.  "If the money isn't getting through, sending more money isn't going to help," said Robert Smith, one of the report's authors.

The link also has implications for the trade in animal products such as ivory and rhino horn, the report said.  Limits or prohibitions on sales of such items often drive up their prices, giving corrupt officials greater incentive to participate in the illicit industry, it said

(John Whitfield, Nature, Nov. 6).

Current management of biodegradable waste and future perspectives
Author(s) : MARMO L
Sustainable Resources Unit, DG Environment, European Commission,
Brussels (BE)
Bibliographic Reference : A paper published in: Proceedings of the workshop: "The biological treatment of biodegradable waste - technical aspects", 8 - 10 April
2002, Brussels.
EUR 20517 EN (2003) , pp.11-23 Free of charge.;
Available from European Commission, JRC Knowledge Management Unit,
Ispra (IT)
Tel: +39 033278 9843 or +39 033278 9864
Fax: +39 033278 9623
E-mail: jrc-publications-office@cec.eu.int
Abstract : This is one of 30 papers presented at a workshop on biowaste organised by the Environment DG and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission on 8, 9 and 10 April 2002 in Brussels.

A slide presentation of this paper is available online on the
conference website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/
environment/waste/eventspast/bio.htm
Facet Codes : Waste management, Geochemistry, Biology
Availability in Languages : en
Publication Year : 2003
Publication Type : An extract from conference proceedings or from reports

Environmental annual report 2002 - EU Joint Research Centre, Insitute for Energy
Author(s) : No author stated
European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Energy, Petten (NL)
Bibliographic Reference : EUR 20751 EN (2003) , 11pp. Free of charge;
Available from European Commission, JRC Information & Public Relations Unit, Ispra (IT)
Fax: +39 033278 5409 or Fax: +32 2 2996322
E-mail: jrc-publications-office@cec.eu.int
Abstract : This environmental report describes the environmental activities, targets, impacts and management system of the JRC Institute for Energy.
Facet Codes : Environmental research and protection, Energy production, conversion and conservation in general
Availability in Languages : en
Publication Year : 2003
Publication Type : A report issued by the Commission as an EUR report and identified by its EUR number

Air Pollution and Health
There is a strong link between poor health and environmental problems. A recent report from the European Environmental Agency, EEA, shows that as many as 60,000 deaths per year in large European cities are caused by long-term exposure to air pollution. Children are more exposed to environmental risks than adults. One child in seven is affected by asthma. Compared to 30 years ago this is a dramatic increase. In order to reverse this alarming trend the European Commission is today launching A European Environment and Health Strategy.

SITE OF THE MONTH:

 

Back | Home | Up | Next