Government launches carbon offsetting fund - 12 Nov 2007 - BusinessGreen 

The government last week unveiled a carbon offsetting fund designed to offset the transport-related carbon emissions generated by a wide range of different public sector departments and organisations, ... including central government departments, Transport for London and the Royal Household. DEFRA said government-funded projects will be undertaken in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, China and Brazil that "would ensure that the carbon footprint of Government air travel was neutralised by ensuring emissions were avoided elsewhere". It added that the government fund, which will be managed by EEA Fund Management Ltd , is the first of its kind in the world and will offset all official air travel from central government since 2006 and all future air travel emissions from up to 40 public sector organisations. "This kind of offsetting is a good way to deal with unavoidable emissions," said Jamal Gore, managing director of offsetting company Carbon Clear . "Without funding from carbon cre   [More...] [Less...]

eGov monitor - A Policy Dialogue Platform | 

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn today challenged the voluntary offsetting industry to provide strong standards for offsetting products so that they can be part of a landmark Government Code of Best Practice ... for consumer offsetting products. Mr Benn today announced the final structure of the Code, which will be backed by a quality mark. Emissions offset through accredited products will be calculated consistently and correctly, and consumers will be provided with clear information and transparent prices. "If people are trying to reduce their impact on the climate, the first thing they should do is find ways to reduce their carbon footprint. But realistically, there are emissions that can't or won't be avoided, and that's where offsetting can play an important role. "That's why the Government is developing a Code of Practice and a quality mark for high-quality offsetting products to help businesses and individuals Act on CO2." Mr Benn said that as a starting point, the Code would only c   [More...] [Less...]

Government criticized over nanotech research efforts 

9/17/2007 - As the number of cosmetic products using nanotechnology multiply, leading scientists have criticized government for failing to develop an adequate strategy for managing the health and environmental ... risks posed by the technology. The Wilson Center's Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies described the latest federal government report, published in August, as a "'nano step forward" and "a simple - and even simplistic - list of priorities." The comments contibute to calls for greater regulation and add to growing public concern over the government's failure to take the potential risks surrounding nanotechnology seriously. The eight-page Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology Subcommittee (NSET) report contains a list of 12 priority topics related to research areas including human health and the environment, and identified plugging research gaps and the development of a strategy to address research priorities as the next steps. Both the Wilson Center and the American S   [More...] [Less...]

Virtual nanotechnology conference 

Together with its face-to-face counterpart will be a joint virtual conference run in real-time, providing an advanced collaborative environment for participants from every corner of the world to share ... their knowledge while carrying on their regular scholarly duties and without the expense of physically traveling to Fayetteville, Arkansas. By using the computers and phones in their offices or homes, through the Internet VC-NST participants will be able to present their research on big screens and speakers during the conference in Fayetteville. This is a new type of platform for the rapid dissemination of information on the important scientific achievements by nanoscience and nanotechnology researchers worldwide. With latest screen sharing techniques, every VC-NST presenter is offered the opportunity to deliver their research to additional thousands of audience members and receive their responses, both in real time. Now, audiences are not limited to conference attendees alone as with a c   [More...] [Less...]

Nanotechnology and National Security: Small Changes, Big Impact 

Nanotechnology is an emerging transformational technology that promises wide and dual-use applica­tions in many fields, particularly national security. The United States is the world's acknowledged leader ... in nanoscience, but stiff international competition is nar­rowing America's lead. Many other countries, specifi­cally European nations and China, have large, established nanotechnology initiatives. Most commer­cial applications of nanotechnology are still nascent. In the near term, the most promising develop­ments for national security will likely come from government research rather than from the applica­tion of commercial off-the-shelf nanotechnologies. To meet national security needs in the near term, the U.S. government needs to adopt new legislative and policy innovations, including promoting long-term research, distributing federal grants more widely, and promoting scientific travel and exchanges to maintain a supply of skilled experts. Over the long term, the government should   [More...] [Less...]

6312_dti_csr_A/W [pdf]

Corporate Social Responsibility A Government update www.csr.gov.uk 2 The Government has an ambitious vision for Corporate Social Responsibility To see UK businesses taking account of their economic, ... social and environmental impacts, and acting to address the key sustainable development challenges based on their core competences wherever they operate – locally, regionally and internationally. Our strategy for advancing our vision is to: c Promote business activities that bring simultaneous economic, social and environmental benefits c Work in partnership with the private sector, community bodies, unions, consumers and other stakeholders c Encourage innovative approaches and continuing development and application of best practice c Ensure we have decent minimum levels of performance in areas such as health & safety, the environment and equal opportunities c Encourage increased awareness, open constructive dialogue and trust c Create a policy framework which encourages and enable   [More...] [Less...]

Food and Drug Administration Home Page 

Food Foodborne Illness, Nutrition, Dietary Supplements... Drugs Prescription, Over-the-Counter, Generic... Medical Devices Pacemakers, Contact Lenses, Hearing Aids... Biologics Vaccines, Blood Products... ... Animal Feed and Drugs Livestock, Pets... Cosmetics Safety, Labeling... Radiation-Emitting Products Cell Phones, Lasers, Microwaves... Combination Products   [More...] [Less...]

E-Government Unit 

e-Government Unit eGU’s mission is: ‘ensuring that IT supports the business transformation of Government itself so that we can provide better, more efficient, public services.’ The Prime Minister, Tony ... Blair The e-Government Unit ( eGU ) is the largest unit in the Cabinet Office. We are responsible for formulating information technology ( IT ) strategy and policy developing common IT components for use across government promoting best practice across government delivering citizen-centred online services Transformational Government – Implementation Plan The Government published ‘Transformational Government – Enabled by Technology’ in November 2005. The strategy set out how effective use of technology to deliver services designed around the needs of citizens and businesses can make a real difference to people’s lives. This implementation plan describes the actions taken since publication and the tasks to be completed by July 2007. [External website] News Release Directgov and independent   [More...] [Less...]

Government IT Profession 

Welcome to the section of the CIO site for all IT Professionals in the public sector. Latest news Development opportunities The IT qualifications landscape is a new document which brings together development ... opportunities relevant to people working in IT in the public sector. The content is grouped by competency and skill level. IT professioanls and line managers, as well as HR professionals, may find this document particularly useful at this time of the year when objectives and personal development plans for the coming year are being agreed. Have Your Say In this new section of the website you can comment on selected topics. The first two topics cover Developing the Government IT Profession and also The Government IT Profession website. Log in and visit Have Your Say to make your contribution. Community Space launched Members of the Government IT Profession have been invited to join the new Government IT Profession Community Space [External website] . This space enables networking, di   [More...] [Less...]

FY 2009 Administration Research and Development Budget Priorities [pdf]