Norway set to ban semi-automatic guns from 2021
Norway plans to ban semi-automatic firearms as of 2021, a decade after rightwing extremist Anders Breivik’s mass shooting that left 69 people dead, a Norwegian lawmaker said on Tuesday.
Europe
Court rules U.K. air pollution plan is “unlawful”, in a win for environmental activists
“The Environment Secretary must ensure that, in each of the 45 areas, steps are taken to achieve compliance as soon as possible, by the quickest route possible and by a means that makes that outcome likely.”
ING & European Investment Bank invest €300 million in green shipping
Global financial institution ING has partnered with the European Investment Bank in committing €300 million to support green investments in the European shipping sector.
China will plant 32,400 square miles of trees to combat air pollution
China has tasked 60,000 soldiers to increase the country’s total forest coverage in an attempt to combat its serious air pollution problem.
IKEA joins Big Clean Switch to offer 100% renewable energy tariff
Ikea is calling for households to join its latest joint venture a collective energy switch that promises an exclusive 100% renewable electricity tariff.
To reduce air pollution, Germany will test free public transportation in some cities
In an effort to cut down on air pollution, the German government will be making public transportation free later this year. The campaign will take place in several cities, including Bonn, Essen, Reutlingen, Mannheim, and the town of Herrenberg.
Queen of England bans plastic bottles and straws at royal estates
Some people think the Queen has taken an interest in the plastic problem after working on a conservation documentary with broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough, who recently discussed the particular dilemma of ocean plastic in Blue Planet II.
Renewables overtake coal in European electricity supply
Good wind conditions and huge investment into wind energy have helped the European Union generate more electricity from renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass than from coal in 2017, a new study has shown.
Eurostar plans to halve its use of plastics within two years
Eurostar has unveiled a new 10-point plan to cut carbon emissions and reduce waste over the next three years, highlighting the reduced carbon footprint of high-speed rail for short-haul journeys.
German union wins right to 28-hour working week and 4.3% pay rise
German workers won a key victory in their fight for a better work-life balance when a big employers’ group agreed to demands from the country’s largest trade union for the introduction of a 28-hour working week.