Authorities and three industrial companies in the Republic of the Congo are failing to protect human rights, according to a report published by Amnesty International on Tuesday. The organization highlighted the oil spills and smoke emissions caused by two oil companies and one recycling company in the country, analyzing the impact of the incidents on [...]
Search Results for: oil pollution
US Supreme Court to consider legality of generic prohibitions in pollutant discharge permits
The US Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear San Francisco’s dispute against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over permitting wastewater disposal into the Pacific Ocean under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The issue in the case City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency centers on whether the Clean Water Act allows [...]
UN expert condemns 'severe crackdowns' on environmental protestors in UK
UN expert Michel Forst published a letter Tuesday detailing his concerns on the treatment of environmental protestors in the UK. Forst condemned the “severe crackdowns” on environmental protestors, including the prison sentences issued, the bail conditions and the restrictions on peaceful protests. Forst is the first UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus [...]
Nigeria Supreme Court allows Shell a hearing in oil spill case
The Nigeria Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Shell should be granted a hearing over its alleged involvement in an oil spill in the Niger Delta, as per news sources. This overturns the judgment of the Court of Appeal that halted the company’s sale and ordered payment of a judgment claim before hearing its appeal. [...]
Philippine Coast Guard removes floating barrier allegedly placed by China
A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson announced Monday that the PCG removed a floating barrier allegedly placed by China near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. This comes days after the PCG claimed that China had placed the floating barrier to prevent Philippine fishermen from accessing fishing grounds near the shoal, which [...]
UN committee publishes authoritative guidance on children's rights amidst climate crisis
The United Nations (UN) Committee on the Rights of the Child on Monday published authoritative guidance concerning children’s rights with respect to the environment amidst growing concerns of climate change. The guidance urges member states to swiftly implement intervention measures to address the adverse impacts of environmental degradation and protect children’s right to a clean [...]
Nigeria oil spill at Shell facility threatens livelihoods amid ongoing litigation
Activists in Nigeria on Wednesday reported that a new oil spill occurred in Rivers State and is actively threatening the region’s water supply. The leak has been contained, but activists remain concerned over the perceived inaction by Nigerian authorities to address previous spills and ongoing pollution problems. According to the National Oil Spill Detection and [...]
The US Supreme Court Monday declined to hear five appeals from fossil fuel companies requesting to have their cases moved from state to federal courts. All five petitions concern whether federal common law, which is law developed over time by courts, or state law applies to lawsuits over greenhouse-gas emissions that cross state lines. Each [...]
Biden administration proposes climate regulations to lower US vehicle emissions
The Biden administration Wednesday unveiled two initiatives aimed at decreasing passenger and heavy duty vehicle emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule making details two initiatives to target greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, applying to model years 2027 to 2032. Those affected by the rule include vehicle manufacturers and vehicle importers. The White House [...]
Environmental groups sue US protection agency over inadequate pollution regulations
Twelve environmental groups Tuesday joined to sue the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EPA Administrator Michael Regan over pollution guidelines set forth earlier this year. The groups alleged that the EPA’s Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 (Plan 15), issued in January 2023, failed to tighten limits on the release of toxins in wastewater from industrial [...]