SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

A Belgian at the head of the new DG Climate Action

The event is sufficiently rare to merit a mention, so we will savour the moment: Belgian Jos Delbeke will be Director-General of the brand new Directorate-General (DG) Climate Action, recently set up by the European Commission. As a result, climate change will become a policy area in its own right and a dedicated team will now handle climate change issues which were previously dealt with by the DG Energy.
This means that, firstly, the issue of climate change as a whole will receive greater attention and secondly, that the Belgian view on climate change will be taken more into consideration. The view which Belgium has expressed many times is that we need an ambitious global policy in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Unlike other very large countries which are also highly industrialised, Belgium has always been one of the leading advocates of an ambitious reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
This position will undoubtedly be strengthened by the promotion of Jos Delbeke.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm

Whitepod or skiing without harming the environment

Enjoying skiing and wanting to protect the environment are not incompatible. For all those who fall in this category and who are not afraid of this form of “alternative” skiing, an operator has built a small sustainable complex in Switzerland, near Lake Leman, a stone’s throw from the French border. Located in the heart of the countryside, the complex has some fifteen Whitepods, which are a kind of modern igloo, designed for tourists interested in an ecological winter holiday. As ecology does not necessarily have to mean a lack of comfort, the operator has equipped each Whitepod with a wood stove and the Whitepods are sufficiently insulated for holidaymakers to be able to keep warm.
The Whitepods all have the same igloo-like spherical shape, but their living space varies from 26 to 40 m²., making them suitable for families. They represent an ideal solution for those who want to enjoy stunning views and a protected environment in which they can practise their favourite sport in complete tranquillity. On the slopes, you will never see any litter or cigarette ends because any rubbish is routinely collected and the slopes cleaned after use… by those who have used them! There are two drawbacks, both only minor: first, the price is considerably higher than what you would pay for a good hotel; secondly, the toilets are outside ... a distinctive feature which will undoubtedly dissuade some people.

http://www.whitepod.com