European states have agreed on legally binding limits on the airborne concentration of ultra-fine dust. The new directive on ambient air quality sets standards for reducing the concentration of fine particles known as PM2.5. Ultrafine particulate matter poses the biggest threat to human health as it can work its way deeper into the lungs than larger dust particles. The directive adopted this week mirrors closely the European Commission proposal of September 2005.

Shipping CO2 Controls To Raise Transport Costs UK: April 11, 2008 LONDON - The world's shipping industry plans to limit its growing carbon dioxide emissions by taxing marine fuels and signing up to a new climate change deal in moves likely to raise transport costs for raw materials. Experts say the measures, aired at an International Maritime Organisation (IMO) meeting on fuel pollutants in London last week and about a year away from being formally agreed, will be painful but are necessary in the fight against climate change.

US Car Makers Try To Copy Green Halo Of Prius US: April 9, 2008 DETROIT - When Tom Weatherbee swapped his minivan for a Toyota Prius hybrid two years ago, he was mostly hoping to save money at the gas pump. But he was pleasantly surprised by both the requests from friends for a test drive and the grins its aerodynamic profile drew at the grocery store, and he basked in the attention. "Even the people who own more expensive cars acknowledge the Prius as being pretty cool," said Weatherbee, 51, an electrical engineer who lives outside Traverse City, Michigan.

For Londoners used to paying an

UN Body To Slash Ship Fuel Pollution By 2015 UK: April 7, 2008 LONDON - The world's top maritime body agreed tough new limits on ship fuel pollutants at a week-long meeting that ended on Friday, an industry source said. The United Nations' International Maritime Organisation (IMO) measures will sharply curb harmful sulphur emissions by 2015. The ambitious targets, first reported by Reuters on Thursday, will likely cost the oil and ship industry billions of dollars to implement.

The city government has decided to launch the "CNG Bus Project' on a public-private partnership basis for the introduction of an environment-friendly public transport system. Under the project, 2,500 more CNG buses would be brought to city over the next five years. City government sources said that in the first phase, 500 CNG buses would be brought to the city roads through private sector. The city government has invited expression of interest (EoI) to be submitted by the interested parties by May 8 with the office of the Karachi Mass Transit Cell.

THE Supreme Court on Friday paved the way for bringing in CNG to Gurgaon and Faridabad. The move comes with pollution reaching alarming levels in the Capital and its surroundings. The three-member Bench led by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan ordered the Centre to ensure supply and availability of -compressed natural gas (CNG) through two private players in the two satellite towns. The interim order asked the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) to facilitate supply to pumps set up by Adani Energy Private Limited and Haryana Gas Distributors, in Gurgaon and Faridabad respectively.

NEW York drivers are fuming after Mayor Michael Bloomberg edged closer to securing a congestion tax in the city. It now rests with state politicians to endorse the plan by Monday. If it passes, the Bloomberg congestion tax would introduce a daily charge of $US8 ($A9) for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. Mr Bloomberg has pushed the plan for more than a year. He won his way after the Democrat-dominated New York City Council this week voted strongly in favour of the measure, pioneered in London.

UN Body Nears Agreeing Ship Pollutant Limits UK: April 4, 2008 LONDON - The world's top maritime body has tentatively agreed new sulphur limits for ship fuels that will slash air pollutants, but cost the oil and ship industry dear, an industry source close to the talks said on Thursday. At a major UN International Maritime Organisation (IMO) meeting in London this week countries gathered to thrash out how best to reduce harmful ship pollutants, like sulphur dioxide, and tackle climate changing gases.