The release today of a second report into the earthquakes caused by Cuadrilla resources’ fracking activity in Lancashire has been met with disdain from environmental activists.

The report, commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), concludes that, ‘it would not be possible to state categorically that no further earthquakes will be experienced during a similar treatment in a nearby well’.

They come into force on 06 April 2012 - are you prepared? A short course to bring you up to date is available.

Following an extensive consultation exercise the Government has finally produced new Tree Preservation Order (TPO) Regulations. The Regulations were;

Made on 28 February 2012;
Laid before Parliament on 05 March 2012; and
Come into Force on 06 April 2012.

The Government has insisted that the green belt will remain protected under long-awaited reforms to the planning system.

Planning minister Greg Clark said protection of the green belt and putting high streets and town centres first are national requirements which protect everyone.

"Over and above that, I think the people that live in the places and work in the places that they love actually do have an interest in wanting them to thrive in the future - they want them to retain the character that sometimes they have lost through development being imposed from above," he told BBC Breakfast.

Health and safety has attracted considerable political and media attention over the last few years. But there is a very positive story to tell on the contribution it makes to individuals, organisations, the economy and society more generally.

The British Safety Council has today announced the winners of their International Safety Awards for 2012, given to organisations in recognition of their proven commitment to workplace health and safety.

The winning organisations span all sectors from across the United Kingdom, Middle East, India and Hong Kong. This long-established award has this year been won by 550 organisations. 125 gained a distinction, 348 attained a merit with 77 other organisations securing a pass.

Marine Conservation Society is concerned by rise in bagged excrement despite overall fall in amount of shore litter

Dog poo wrapped in plastic bags discarded by careless owners has emerged as one of the biggest single threats to the health and safety of beach visitors, a marine conservation charity has warned.

The finding is in the latest beach litter data collected by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) last year and published on Thursday in its Beachwatch Big Weekend Report.

The charity says the volume of dog excrement in bags left on UK beaches rose 11% between 2010 and 2011. Scotland recorded the biggest increase – 71% in one year.

Aeternum Capital, the infrastructure developer and renewable energy specialist, has announced the appointment of Lord Cunningham as an advisor to the board. Lord Cunningham brings with him a wealth of experience in both politics and industry, following a career of over 40 years spent in both Houses of Parliament and with a number of companies in the energy sector.

Lord Cunningham is an industry expert who has previously advised leading chemical firms such as Albright & Wilson, Dow Chemical Co., Hays Chemical and Hickson Chemicals. As well as being an active member of the House of Lords, he chairs the North- East Sustainable Resources Board, which seeks to improve recycling and reuse capability in the region.

Arch Timber Protection’s KEYWOOD treated pine has been chosen by landscape designer Alistair W Baldwin to be part of a site landscaping project on the grounds of a zero carbon house near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The project uses the durable timber in decking around a swimming pond installed by Garden Style of Sheffield.

KEYWOOD is a modified softwood created by treating FSC-certified Radiata pine with a biomass-based thermosetting resin. This makes the timber more durable and usable indoors and outdoors without the need for a coating, and its attractive light color blends with all surroundings.

“Growth in the wind energy sector is attributable to a huge range of factors, including financial confidence, technological advancements, legislative support from local governments and increased public support and awareness” writes David Blake, Renewable Energy Recruitment Manager for Allen & York.